November 10, 1949 – August 21, 2026
Ray Argyle Fernsten, 76, of South Lake Tahoe, passed away peacefully at his home on August 21, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born November 10, 1949, in Oakland, California, to Argyle and Helen Fernsten, Ray made Tahoe his home for 50 years and shared the past 30 with his partner-in-life, Pamela Francis. Together, they built a life centered around family, friendship, hard work and the community they called home. Ray and Pamela loved traveling to their condo on Kauai and camping with family and friends.
As owner of Fernsten Construction, Ray spent 50 years building custom homes throughout the Tahoe Basin, earning a reputation for high standards and exceptional quality. Over his career he built nearly 200 homes, often for multiple generations of the same families, and brought that same excellence to commercial projects including the Black Bear Lodge and Meyers Station. Many clients and subcontractors became lifelong friends.
Throughout the ’80s and’ 90s, Ray coached Little League, Babe Ruth, multiple All-Star teams, and varsity baseball at South Tahoe High School. Fiercely competitive, outspoken, and highly knowledgeable about the game, he expected a lot from his players while teaching discipline, toughness and perseverance well beyond the field. Decades later, many still proudly remember him simply as “Coach.”
Ray loved a life outdoors, with years spent fishing, hunting, skiing, boating, and camping around Lake Tahoe and beyond. Baseball was a lifelong love, and he was a devoted Giants and Raiders fan. His favorite teams, though, were always the ones his grandchildren played on, and he rarely missed a chance to be there on the sidelines cheering them on.
Above all, Ray was a devoted father and grandfather. Steadfast, loyal, and tough as nails, he demonstrated his love by showing up, offering encouragement, fixing what needed fixing, and always having a story to tell. His grandchildren stole his heart, and he was happiest surrounded by his kids and grandkids, listening and making them laugh.
Ray leaves behind a legacy in the homes he built, the players he coached, the friendships he formed and, most importantly, the family he loved.
Ray is survived by his partner-in-life, Pamela Francis; his four daughters and their families: Amanda and Chuck Olmstead and their children, Kale, Cali, and Rylie; Jamie and Jason Hurley and their daughter, Jovanna; Mackenzie and Josh Martin and their children, Cole and Hunter; and Ashlee and Kenny Groen and their son, Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Tahoe Paradise Park 1011 E. San Bernardio Ave, South Lake Tahoe. Family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, and celebrate the life and legend of Ray Fernsten.
