We mourn the loss of veteran Louisville labor leader Ray Crider
From Bill Londrigan, Kentucky State AFL-CIO president: "It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Brother Ray Crider, former Political and Legislative Director of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO, long time member of the International Association of Machinists Lodge 681 and Administrator of Kentucky Laborers’ District Council LECET program. Ray was a staunch union member and Democrat and friend of mine for over 30-years. He will be missed. Please keep Ray and his family in your thoughts and prayers."
Louisville - G. Ray Crider, 78, of Louisville, died March 22, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Cecil and Mary Gladys Crider, and his brother John T. Crider. He is survived by loving wife of 56 years, Marilyn Kay Crider. He is also survived by his daughters, Andrea Derouen (Jeff), Dana Delepierre (Rick), and his sons, Tim (Sandy) and David Crider as well as 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Alice Stewart (Wayne).
Ray was a graduate of Flaget High School in 1957. He began work as a machinist and a member of IAMAW #681 at Brown Williamson Tobacco Company in 1958, serving in several offices including President. In 1972 Ray was selected to serve as the Political/Legislative Director of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO. In 1992 he was employed by the Kentucky Laborers District Council as the Administrator of the LECET Trust Fund. In 1998 Ray was employed by the Political Department of the National AFL-CIO where he worked in political campaigns. He retired from the National AFL-CIO in December 2001.
Ray devoted his working life to the Labor Movement. He was the Labor recipient of the 1999 Kentucky Labor/Management Award, the LJCDP Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009, and the Metro Democratic Club Service Award in 2017.