Raymond K. Tayer

At age 95, Ray passed away peacefully on October 27, 2017 in Yakima, Washington. He was born in Milnor, North Dakota on June 29, 1922 to Willard and Minnie Tayer. Ray was the oldest of five children, with two brothers (Harold and Les) and two sisters (Betty and Arlene).

During his younger years the family lived in Minnesota, Montana and then Washington.

In 1942 Ray enlisted in the Army and became a paratrooper in the 501 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (known as The Screaming Eagles). Deployed to Europe, he parachuted into Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion, parachuted into Holland, and was wounded in the Siege of Bastogne as part of the larger Battle of the Bulge. Ray was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, as well as many other military decorations, and was honorably discharged in 1945.

In 1948 Ray began a 39 year career as a fire fighter at Hanford. He met and in 1953 married the love of his life, Mary Emma McMullen.

From 1954 to 1957 their three children were born, Jeff, Becky and Janet, and in 1965 they bought a farm in Selah which became the longtime homestead for the Tayer family.

Ray was devoted to his family and would spend every spare moment with them, he truly felt the best times of his life were when they were together. He was a great outdoorsman and loved to camp, fish, hunt, travel, and spend time in the apple orchard.

Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; their three children and their spouses (Jeff Tayer & Betsy Bloomfield, Becky & Ron Johnson, and Janet & Marty Warr); seven grandchildren (Sara, Jessica, Nick, Emily, Zak, A.J. and Samantha); and two great grandchildren (Boston and Wyatt).

The family would like to thank the staff at Blossom Place, Memorial Hospice, and the Veterans Administration for their excellent caregiving, love and support.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: the American Legion Post #88 or Washington Talking Book and Braille Library.

Visitation will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. 48th Avenue, Yakima on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

To celebrate the life of Ray and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.