Genter, Ray.

Ray Genter was born April 28, 1935 in Ludington, Michigan. He grew up across from the local fairgrounds. As a child, Ray became ill from drinking some pink lemonade at a carnival one night and since then has been fascinated with carnivals. He helped when the carnivals came to town. An an adult, Ray married his first wife. He attended model builders' conventions. He later married Sharon Genter with whom he attended circuses and carnivals. Beginning about 1970, Ray began purchasing carnival equipment and rides as Genter Bros. Shows and Rides, Inc. Soon, with his son, Rick, Ray owned and operated a small carnival, from 1980 through 1986, Great Lakes Amusements Co. Their route included the center of the state. While operating the carnival, Ray and Sharon and their family also simultaneously owned and operated Flowers by Ray & Sharon. In 2010, they were named as one of the top 200 florists in the U.S. They have owned operated their floral business for over 40 years, and in 2010 owned stores located in North Muskegon, Muskegon Township and Norton Shores. In 1987, with insurance costs rising, and being pulled between the two businesses, the Genters stopped operating the carnival and sold off stock. For fun, Ray created a large miniature carnival in 1985, which was donated in 2009 to the International Independent Showman's Museum in Gibsonton, Florida. He also collected an extensive collection of circus and carnival books, poster, and other collectibles, many of which were sold in 2010. Ray remains actively interested and involved in carnivals and circus history and organizations. In 2010 Ray and Sharon lived in White Hall, Michigan. (This information is from an interview Marian Matyn conducted with Ray and Sharon Genter on October 26, 2009, and an article about Ray's miniature carnival entitled, "It's the little things...", in the Muskegon Chronicle, October 12, 2009.)