Raymond Edward Elser, 88, passed away on April 5, 2019 at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. He was born on October 9, 1930 in Salem, Oregon to Fred and Regina Elser and grew up in Turner, Oregon. After high school, he joined the Navy and served from 1948 to 1969. He served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and aboard the USS Dixie for 10 years in the Boiler Shop. Ray had only two jobs in his lifetime, the Navy and the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. He joined Chubb as a boiler and machinery inspector in 1969 and soon after met his soon to be wife, Maralyn. He worked his way up in the company to Boiler Department Manager until his retirement in 1993. Ray married Maralyn in 1979 in Portland, Oregon. They would have been married for 40 years this August. He enjoyed bowling, fishing and gardening. Ray is survived by his spouse, Maralyn, his son Douglas, and his step children, Theo and Kelli; grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leo and Harvey and sisters Bertha and Pauline. Ray will be missed, but those who love him are happy he is now free from pain and at peace, surrounded by those who have gone before. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 1PM at Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 SW Sunset Hwy, Portland. Please use 1950 SW Camelot Ct, Portland for GPS directions. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. To leave online condolences please visit www.finleysunethills.com
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