Raymond Lee Chaney

Gresham resident Raymond L. Chaney died Friday, September 23, 2011. An open house for his friends and collegues will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18th in the banquet room at Persimmon Country Club, 500 S.E. Butler Road in Gresham.

Ray was born on November 20, 1925 in Portland to John and Mary (Buck) Chaney.

Ray was a salesman, and later a sales manager, for McRobert Ford for many years. During World War II he served ini the Navy aboard the USS Mobile and was honorably discharged in 1946. Ray married Bettie Jean Peterson in 1946, and they had four children.

In 1969, Ray and his brother-in-law, Reuben Peterson, began to look for a car dealership to acquire. They tried to buy a Ford dealership and then a Chevrolet dealership in the Willamette Valley, but both deals fell through. By sitting in the lobby of Toyota headquarters every day for a week, Ray and Reuben finally acquired the rights to open a Toyota franchise in Gresham. Ray and Reuben ran Gresham Toyota until Ray retired in 1987. Their children now operate the business.

Ray's greatest love was his family, followed by a love of cars. He exhibited his 1965 Ford Mustand convertible, which had just 38,000 original miles, at local car shows for many years.

His daughter, Susan Muller, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife Bettie; sons, Michael Chaney of Boring and Patrick Chaney of Gresham; daughter, Merrie Chaney of Gresham and five grandchildren.

To view an online memorial and offer condolences please visit Batemancarrollfunerals.com or visit koin.mem.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Gresham Historical Society Museum, P.O. Box 65, Gresham, Oregon 97030. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.