Ray DeWire's swimming career started at age 12 when he began swimming for a YMCA (Tamaqua Blue Waves) in his hometown of Tamaqua, PA. He then swam all through middle school and high school where he was an all state honorable mention his senior year. He then continued his education and swimming career in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference where he swam for Niagara University. Niagara University is a Division I school located in Niagara Falls, New York that competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. At Niagara Ray predominately swam the 500, 1000,  and 1650 freestyle. While at Niagara he was named to the All MAAC All Academic team in all four years and also qualified for the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) meet his junior and senior year. In May of 2009 he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management and now works as an aquatics director.

Ray's coaching career began at age 15 when he began teaching swim lessons for the YMCA. He soon became an assistant coach for the younger swimmers on the team he actively swam on. During summers away from Niagara, Ray remained the assistant coach for the Tamaqua Blue Waves and eventually became head coach. At Niagara he taught swim lessons and spinning classes for the recreation center. He is also USA Cycling coaching certified. Currently at Sport & Health, Ray teaches swim lessons to adults and children alike.