Raymond Russell Krueger

Raymond Krueger passed away May 17, 2024 in Salem. He was born January 4, 1939 in Salem and graduated from North Salem High School in 1957. He continued his education and earned a degree in Music from Willamette University. After graduation he married Pamela Banks and moved to Joseph, Oregon where he taught music for two years. He returned to the Salem area and taught music and band for the Central School District in Independence for another 25 years. He was divorced in 1972 and later married Phyllis Lambert whom he remained married to for the next 50 years and shared a love of music.

Raymond was a man of action and always had many projects such as remodeling and building, gardening, cooking and restoring old cars. He turned many of his ideas into reality because of his energy and determination. In the 1980’s he changed his profession and started a log home company, Treehouse Log Homes, designing and building homes in the Northwest, Hawaii and Japan. He had many log homes displayed in home shows throughout Oregon and Washington while running his business. In 2008 he and Phyllis moved from Salem to their log home in LaPine and spent summers there. They moved back to Salem in 2021. After retirement Raymond spent winters in a small fishing village in Mexico. He returned to his love of teaching music and started a band program, teaching school students in the village for 20 years. He provided students with donated band instruments and sheet music. He made a final trip to Mexico this past April and was pleased to see the band was growing under the direction of his former student.

While in college he had a dance band and continued to play in music groups in the Salem area including the Salem Concert Band, the Capital Brass Quintet, Salem Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. He had a love of cars and spent time working and restoring many. He belonged to Austin Healy car clubs and the Mid-Willamette Early Ford V8 Club. Ray also enjoyed traveling and gardening. He and Phyllis made trips to various European countries, Japan, Mexico and Central America.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, sons Adrian (Heidi) Krueger, son Brian (Brenda) Krueger of Bend and grandchildren Hailey and Ben of Bend and Austin and Chase of Tennessee, sister Kimberly Krueger of Redmond and brother Kevin Larson, Gilchrist. He was preceded in death by daughter Emily, son Kurt, grandson Brock, and brother Dennis.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 8th, 11-1:00 at Willamette Heritage Center Dye House, 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem.