Raymond "Ray" Nelson Compton

Raymond Nelson Compton, 52, died on Friday, May 12, 2023, after a valiant 22 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Ray was born and raised in Elgin, IL, moved to Rockford in his teens and graduated from Rockford East High School. He enjoyed a variety of occupations including construction work, truck driving and web development. Ray married the love of his life Abigail Grace Hill on August 28, 2015. He remained devoted to her for the entirety of their relationship.

Ray was a sports enthusiast, excelling at every sport he tried. He especially loved baseball and softball. Until meeting his wife Abbie, the baseball field was his happy place. He started with Little League at the age of 6 and never stopped. Ray created a family and lifelong friendships with his teammates. Beyond baseball, Ray loved basketball, which he played through high school, and was a one-man full-court press. He briefly ran track and in fifth grade, shattered a record that went undefeated until the school closed in 2020. As an adult, Ray Ray played softball in Rockford for over three decades, most of which was at Forest Hills Diamonds. He made a significant impact in the softball community and in the lives of his teammates.

Ray had a long history with computers. In 1993 he was introduced to a local BBS (bulletin board system) which was AOL before AOL. He created enduring friendships there. Ray and his friends spent time online chatting, playing games and trivia. They spent time together in-person having pizza parties and playing volleyball. He included his little sister Heidi in his geeky new-found family. Ray began designing and maintaining Forest Hills website and continued that work for twenty years.

Another hobby was storm chasing. Nicknamed Raydar, he kept everyone safe as a "personal meteorologist", sending alerts when bad weather was in the area. He loved outdoor adventures; including camping, canoeing, and rafting. He even tried skydiving once. When he met Abbie, he found someone who would do those things with him.

Throughout his illness and regular chemo treatments, Ray continued to play softball and enjoy traveling with Abbie. He was determined to live life to the fullest and be among the small percentage of those who survive. He ran until he could not catch his breath, never slowing down, right up until the end. Ray wanted to be remembered for his smile, his positivity, and his easy-going, caring personality. He passed away peacefully while holding the hand of the love of his life and surrounded by family & close friends. Ray is survived by his loving wife, Abbie Compton; mother Annabeth (Beth) Propst (Tim Fuller), father Joseph (Carolyn) Compton, sister Heidi (Rafael) Chavez and their daughters Lexi Compton & Catalina Chavez and her children; step-brother Jeremy (Jen) Rechsteiner and children, step-sister Aubrey (Lesliann) Higgins, step-sister Serena (Jesse) Mason and children, step-brother Ray Soto, step-brother Mark (Molly) Soto and children; in-laws Al & Cyncie Hill, sister-in-law Emilee Hill, brother-in-law Aaron (Ciarra) Hill and their children: Ira, Kaya & Evy; sister-in-law Bitsy (Jacob) Ziegler and their children: Cynthia, Franklin & Alvin; brother-in-law Isaac (Ava) Hill, brother-in-law Jake (Ashley) Hill; Aunt Adrianne Roggenbuck, Uncle Richard (Brenda) Propst, Uncle James (Kari) Compton and their granddaughter, Aunt Judith Prangley; special Aunt Debbie Thompson. He was preceded in death by Uncle Gary Thompson.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Cremation will follow the visitation time. Share online condolences at www.fjtzgeraldfh.com.