Raymond Gen

In Loving Memory Of

Raymond Gen

September 25, 1958 – April 17, 2025

Beloved teacher, writer, and educational leader Dr. Raymond Gen died unexpectedly on

April 17, 2025. He was known by family, friends, and students as a dedicated and

caring educator with sharp sense of humor and a love for good food.

Ray was born in Oakland, California in 1958, the first of four sons of Andrew and Corine

Gen, immigrants from the Guangdong Province of China. In 1968, the family moved to

Turlock, California, where his parents started their restaurant, and the boys all worked

and developed their cooking skills. Ray attended Turlock High School, where he played

football and was by his own admission a mediocre student. Still, he graduated in 1976.

He found his academic identity while an undergraduate at California State University

Stanislaus. At the same time, he began dating Joanne Swanson, who had been his

classmate since junior high school. They married in 1979 and each continued their

studies.

Ray’s insatiable curiosity would eventually lead him to earn four degrees: a bachelor’s

degree in sociology from CSU Stanislaus, two master’s degrees in theology and divinity

from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine

University.

Ray and Joanne purchased their first home in Culver City, where they welcomed their

son Andrew in 1991. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to El Segundo, where Ray

and Joanne became a teacher and librarian, respectively, in the city’s school district.

Ray was a tireless educator for over three decades. He taught thousands of students

for 31 years in English, social studies, journalism, and computer science at El Segundo

High School. He also served as the chair of the English department for 16 years and

was the district’s curriculum specialist in education technology for 20 years. On the

side, he was an adjunct professor for 16 years in the education departments of Loyola

Marymount University, Chapman University, Azusa Pacific University, and Pepperdine

University. Additionally, Ray was elected to and served for 8 years on the Board of

Trustees of El Camino Community College.

Ray retired in 2022 and devoted himself to his writing, which had already included

published academic articles and resource books for teachers. Shortly before his death,

he published his non-fiction book, The Golden Hour: Recipes and Stories from a

Chinese American Restaurant, which includes memories from his childhood spent

working in his parents’ business. He had also completed three books of fiction, with

another two in progress.

Ray is survived by his wife Joanne; his son Andrew and his fiancée Bronte Goessler;

his brothers and their spouses Sherman (Bonnie) Holmes-Gen, Justin Gen, and

Sheldon (Laine) Gen; Joanne’s siblings Gary (Linda) Swanson and Diane (Keith)

Landmeier; and ten nieces and nephews.