Moe Reza "Ray" Shamshiry

Moe Reza "Ray" Shamshiry, 84 of Charleston, WV, passed away on September 21st, 2023 surrounded by his children. Moe was born on September 26, 1938, in Esfahan, Iran. He was the son of the late Fathollah and Sakineh Shamshiry. He is preceded in death by his younger sister Sedigheh, and older brothers Mohammad and Mehdi. He is survived by his older brother Mahmoud, younger sisters Batool and Mahin, and younger brother Abbas. He is also survived by his former wife Karen Myers, and their children Romena Shamshiry, Sasha Shamshiry, Roya Shamshiry, and Shawn Shamshiry, all of Charleston, WV. He is the beloved uncle of many, and grandfather to Mena, Maleah, Reza, Silas, Sevren, Syrus, and Priya. Moe immigrated to West Virginia in 1972, on a scholarship to attend college at WV Tech in Montgomery, WV. In his younger days, he worked as an electrical engineer and later as a bartender at the Daniel Boone Hotel. He also served as a referee for local soccer teams. He then worked as a sales and repair man for the Electrolux Company, from which he retired. He enjoyed playing backgammon, pinochle, and blackjack with his friends, gardening with his children, and cooking Persian dishes. He loved animals, especially his chickens, dogs Bunny & Cha-cha, and all the wild birds and hummingbirds he kept well fed. He had an interest in politics and always encouraged everyone to vote. Moe was a very giving person and believed getting an education was important. With that in mind, he donated his body to the Human Gift Registry at WVU for research. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 5 - 7 p.m., at Elk Funeral & Cremation Service located at 2001 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston, WV 25302.