[October 24, 1942 – January 15, 2026]
Raymond A. Savoy, who founded the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club, has died at the age of 83. A native of Washington, D.C., he was a well-known figure at Langston Golf Course in Northeast D.C. and is being remembered for his deep contributions to the community. Savoy passed away on January 15, 2026.
Savoy grew up in a large, sports-loving family with four brothers and four sisters, and was active in many sports from a young age, including football, baseball, basketball and golf. After attending Epiphany High School-College in Newburgh, New York, he returned to D.C. and graduated from Mackin High School and then Minor Teachers College, which later became the University of the District of Columbia. During his youth he played baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, semipro football in the Northern Amateur Football League, and sandlot football with local teams, then professionally with the Baltimore Broncos for five years. He also played basketball, competing against notable players such as John Thompson and Dave Bing.
Savoy found success in golf during a time when opportunities for people of color were limited, and he used the sport as a way to uplift others. He taught hundreds of young people how to play and love the game. He was inducted into the U.S. Golf Teachers Federation Hall of Fame in 1995, and could often be found at Langston, either teaching students or chatting with regulars about his life, including his once-held desire to become a Catholic priest. “I always kept God first,” he said in a podcast interview.
Remembered as a Champion for Youth and Golf
For 32 years he worked with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, retiring as director of city youth sports programs. He said one of his goals was helping young people learn to handle pressure and stress, teaching that even if they weren’t always winners in competition, they could still succeed through participation. He also volunteered as a certified clinician for the National Alliance for Youth Sports and spent 20 years helping with golf programming at the NBC 4 Health & Fitness Expo.
With the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club, originally started in 1989 under the Hook-A-Kid on Golf program, Savoy focused on teaching discipline, determination and organization, using golf as a vehicle for life lessons. Based at the historic Langston Golf Course, the club encouraged young players to respect themselves and others. Through the club’s summer program, more than 200 boys and girls received six weeks of free golf instruction each year. Savoy also started the Senior Swingers group for golfers aged 55-70 in 1994.
Over the years Savoy received many honors, including a Humanitarian Award from the Lion’s Club, multiple service awards from the D.C. Department of Recreation and Parks, the 2014 Man of Excellence award, and induction into the District of Columbia State Athletic Association Hall of Fame alongside John Thompson. He was named a “Living Legend” by the Pig Skin Club of Washington, D.C., and was listed among “Washington’s 50 Influencers” by Washington Informer Charities. He was also among those invited to the White House in 2013 for a special Father’s Day celebration hosted by President Barack Obama.
Savoy was married to Paulette Granison Savoy for 31 years. Together they had five children, and he was a grandfather and great-grandfather. According to the Washington Informer, his daughter Jacquin K. Savoy remembered him as her hero, grateful that he is now at peace.
Funeral Service for Raymond A. Savoy will be held on Saturday, February 7th at the Mt. Calvary Catholic Church, 6700 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, Maryland. Viewing: 9:00am-10:30am. Tributes: 10:30am. Service: 11:00am
OBITUARY:
A Quintessential Man
“For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.” Acts 11:24
On October 24, 1942, a legend was born. Full of love, compassion, energy, and zeal, Raymond Allison Savoy encapsulated all of the traits, skills, and spiritual gifts that so many desire on this earth. As the fourth child and second son born to the late John B. and Cecilia J. Savoy of Washington, DC, Ray grew up on Walter Street, S.E., otherwise known as the “Friendliest block on the Hill.” This special community was a one-way, one block street in the Historic Capitol Hill neighborhood. Not only was the Capitol Hill community home to many African Americans during that time, but it would also be the Savoy residence on Walter Street that would birth one of the most compassionate, generous, loving, and God-fearing spirits that we would come to know as our very own, Ray.
Ray’s familial upbringing placed faith at the center allowing his formal education which he received from attending Catholic schools such as St. Cyprian and Epiphany High School/College in Newburgh, New York. Upon his return to the District, he graduated from Mackin High School and attended Minor Teacher’s College paving the way for his consideration of a career in local public service.
From his childhood through adulthood, Ray always excelled in sports, played basketball, football, baseball, golf, and hockey. He was eventually signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team in 1962 and played for four years after which he played sandlot football with the Saints and Stonewalls from 1967 through 1969 and later professionally with the Baltimore Broncos for five years. With his tremendous athleticism, love for the “game” of sports, and commitment to building the next generation of young athletes, Ray became an early advocate of youth sports, team sports, and physical education. His work for the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation for 32 years allowed him to apply his God-given talents to transforming the lives of the District’s youth every day. At DPR, Ray developed his mentorship skills and taught youth the character traits he gained from team sports. His career path then progressed from a part-time position to the Director of Citywide Youth Sports. Beyond his work at the agency, he served as a twenty-year volunteer at the NBC 4 “Health & Fitness Expo” working with the golf exhibits and adventurous activities.
In 1994, Ray married the love of his life, Paulette Granison, whom he met while working at the Department of Parks and Recreation. The two of them shared over thirty-one years of wedded bliss that would last until his final breath. As Ray affectionately called Paulette, “Granny”, throughout the years , he would continue to demonstrate his sincere affection as a caring, dependable, and proud husband to her, doting on their relationship, consistently supporting her professionally, and supporting all of her life’s endeavors. Paulette knew that Ray was God’s gift to her and their love was more than reciprocal.
Ray’s love for his family was always expressed with sincere conviction, dedication, and a commitment to ensuring that each child felt seen and heard. He was the kind of father to Kim, Joseph “Ricky”, Allison, Jacquin and later, Terri, that any child would dream of. While many parents understood the values of raising their children with discipline, Ray understood that discipline had to be rooted in being present, available to support, and loving beyond what words could express. Although he was a youth sports clinician, he ensured his children at home and at work were well prepared for the realities of adulthood. He was the type of person that placed a golf club in your hands, ensured sure you had the proper equipment, located the financial resources to travel, stood on the range with you one more hour and told you, “Do it again, you can do it”. Ray’s love for his children was boundless and raised the bar in each of their lives with every “I love you.”
Ray was fully aware of the challenges faced by the District and demonstrated a capacity to diffuse tensions. He also fostered opportunities for a broader future for the District’s youth and successfully founded the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club in 1990. Within the next 36 years, he would raise over $200,000 in scholarships that were awarded to junior golfers in an effort to further their education. Ray’s immense career as a professional golfer with the United States Golf Teachers Federation, (USGTF) spanned from 1995 to 2014 as a (USGTF) Master Instructor to a Hall of Fame inductee.
Ray’s life was full of commemorative honor and accolades as he was awarded many honors over the years including a Humanitarian Award from the Lion’s Club, multiple Outstanding Service Awards from the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation, named a Living Legend by the Pig Skin Club of Washington, DC and was invited by President Obama in 2013, to a Father’s Day Celebration, recognizing fathers from all over the country who were incredible models of fatherhood and community. Additionally, he was honored as the 2014 Man of Excellence by the Strong Black Coffee Group, (Newport News, VA), named one of Washington’s 50 influencers by the Washington Informer Charities and inducted into the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) Hall of Fame along with the late John Thompson.
Ray’s organizational membership and stewardship to the community was also showcased as an active member of 100 Fathers, where he mentored teenage high school youth and young men recently released from incarceration, the DMV-AIA, ( District Maryland Virginia-Athletes in Action), who provided scholarships to senior high school students going to college, and the National Capitol Optimist Club which awards grants to organizations that provide services for youth and many other organizations.
Ray’s compassionate spirit, welcoming presence, positive energy, and loving demeanor was endless and shown towards everyone he met and embraced. He genuinely believed in expressing love to his fellow man through spreading love and being present in the lives of his family, friends, organizations, and community. To know him was to experience true compassion, sincere warmth, and unparalleled kindness in every conversation. You felt included in Ray’s family, his broad community, and his affection for the city. Truly, he was our living legend whose indelible legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.
As his rich legacy will continue through all he has touched, he leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Paulette Granison Savoy of 31 years, one brother, John “Tony” Savoy, two sisters, Barbara Curtis (Joseph), Carol George, five children, Kim Savoy Bennett (Sean), Joseph B. Barbour (Angela), Allison Savoy Logan (Quan), Minister Jacquin Savoy, and Terri Parrilla (Gabriel), eight grandchildren, Jade Wells, Khiry Savoy, Klarke Bennett, Ricardo Barbour, Tyler Patterson (Jack), Nona White, Nyla White, and Brielle Parrilla, six great-grandchildren, Briella, Kaden, Kaine, Kairo, Ivy, Siobhan, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, the late John B. and Cecilia J. Savoy, sisters, Joan Cecelia Penn (Spurgeon), Camilla Savoy Mitchell (Joseph Carl), brothers, Phillip “Mike” Savoy (Barbara Jean), Sterling Savoy (Michelle), and grandson, Kyle Bennett.
