Hall of Fame Phoenix Union District football coach and longtime Arizona Interscholastic Association official Ray Laing, 76, passed away Tuesday.

Richard Obert of azcentral reported that Laing, who completed his 55^th consecutive season in coaching in 2015, died in his sleep.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ray’s family,” said Jeanie Kosower, the AIA’s assistant commissioner of officials. "Ray was one of those guys who was always out there for the kids and was a great mentor to the other officials. He will be missed." 

Laing served as a baseball and hockey official for 36 years and began his coaching career in 1960 with the U.S. Army in the 4^th Armory Division.

He arrived in Arizona in 1966, becoming Central High’s football. It didn’t take him long to start leaving a mark, winning state championships in 1969 (14-0 win vs. St. Mary’s) and 1972 (21-0 win vs. Brophy). 

Both championship seasons ended with 13-0 records.

Success continued to follow him when Laing moved to Phoenix College in 1976, where he served as an offensive coordinator under Ken Stites and helped the school win five conference titles in 11 seasons. Stites and Laing then transferred to Mesa Community College, where Laing worked as a defensive and offensive coordinator up until 2008.

Laing then returned to Arizona’s high school coaching community as a defensive line coach for Brophy. In December, Laing was one of 18 Phoenix Union District coaches inducted into that district’s inaugural Hall of Fame.

"As a young coach back in the early 70s, I really admired coach Laing for his success as a coach and a person of character," said Dr. Harold Slemmer, the AIA's executive director. "He was well respected in the high school sports community. I feel privileged to have known him."