Ray Lane, one of the most versatile and respected broadcasters in Detroit sports history, passed away on September 27, 2025 at the age of 95. He was born on February 9, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to Ray and Margaret Lane.

As a baseball and basketball star at Mackenzie High in Detroit, Ray also expressed an interest in broadcasting. He graduated from Michigan State University, where he played baseball while earning a degree in communications. After briefly playing baseball in the low minors in the Chicago White Sox organization, he worked at radio and TV stations in Cadillac; Waterloo, Iowa; and Saginaw. He started his Detroit career in 1961 as a house announcer at WJBK.

Ray is best remembered for his favorite job, doing play-by-play with Ernie Harwell on Detroit Tigers radio broadcasts from 1967-72. That came after pairing with George Kell for two seasons of Tigers broadcasts. Following the 1972 season, Ray left the Tigers booth to become the sports anchor and director on Detroit television at WJBK-TV (Channel 2 in Detroit) and WKBD-TV (Ch. 50)

During a broadcasting career that lasted more than six decades, he also served as a color analyst on Detroit Lions radio broadcasts, called games for Michigan State, Michigan, the University of Detroit and the Cincinnati Reds, provided pre- and postgame reporting for the Detroit Pistons, and was the Detroit Red Wings' TV on-air host for 16 seasons, beginning in 1985, earning the affectionate nickname of ‘Razor.’ In the late '90s and early 2000s, he also filled in on Tiger broadcasts again.

Ray was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and named NSMA Michigan Sportscaster of the Year twice (1969, 1980). He was a past president and an honorary lifetime member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, which gave him the Ty Tyson Award for Excellence and the Ernie Harwell Lifetime Contribution Award.

Ray was active in supporting numerous local charities, including the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Detroit, where he served on the board for many years, the United Foundation, and the Sanctuary in Royal Oak. He was known by many as a man who was fun to be around and a practical joker.

Ray was married 50 years to his Mackenzie High sweetheart, Carolyn, who preceded him in death in 2004. He is survived by his three children: Greg (Daniela), Deanne (Chris) and Jeff (Illyse), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held, and Ray will be reunited with his beloved wife in Glen Eden Memorial Park, Livonia. Arrangements entrusted to McCabe Funeral Home, Farmington Hills.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ray’s name can be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan C3 Sports Program.