Raymond Walter Stommel

All around nice guy and friend to all, Ray Stommel 93, of Seattle, WA, passed away July 3rd, 2017, surrounded by his family. Very active, living on his own, maintaining his house and yard up until his last week.

He is survived by his sons, Rich and Warren (Barbara) Stommel, his grandson Eric (Samantha), his granddaughter Sarah and his longtime friend and companion Pauline Goddard. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Shirley (Thurman) and 4 siblings. Also, lifelong best friend Dick Lunstrom.

Ray was born in Grand Junction, CO, Nov. 10th, 1923 to Herman and Louise (Goeglein) Stommel. After a short time in Pueblo, CO, the family moved to Boise, ID in 1935. Ray graduated from Boise High School in 1941.

He immediately took a construction job with Morrison Knudson and was shipped off to Johnston Island, a tiny pile of sand in the Marshall Islands, to build an airstrip for the US Defense program. After several months there, the Japanese began to attack the Islands, so the workers were shipped back to Honolulu, shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack. He worked at Barber’s Point as an equipment operator doing restoration work. He returned to Boise in June of 1942.

Ray enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps while attending the University of Oregon, and was called up in April of 1943. He was assigned to the 761st Engineers Company and was sent to Okinawa and then Korea. He was then transferred to the 520th Engineers. He was honorably discharged in March of 1946. Upon returning to Boise, he enrolled in the University of Idaho and went back to work for M-K. He was a member and national representative of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Always a tinkerer, he purchased a 1921 Packard to work on and tote his buddies around in. A picture in his U of I yearbook, shows a “debonair” Ray leaning against his Packard.

In 1952, Ray met Shirley Thurman in Boise, fell in love and were soon married, moving to Salem, OR to take a job with General Insurance (now Safeco). He was a claims adjuster for Western Oregon, and much to his surprise, had to write a claim on a brand new ‘53 Corvette. Being fiberglass bodied, even the Chevrolet dealer didn’t know how to repair it. Ray found a boat shop to fix it. Always a resourceful man.

In 1955, they welcomed a son, Richard, and soon moved to Seattle, settling near Kenmore. In 1959, another son, Warren arrived. Ray, Shirley and family lived there until 1979, when they found their dream house in Olympic Manor with a beautiful view of Puget Sound. Shirley left us in 1998. Ray was still living there, watching the ships go by, until his passing.

Ray worked for Safeco Insurance in Oregon and Washington for 35 years, retiring in 1985 as the Employee Benefits and Compensation Manager.

Ray was always active, Little League Baseball coach, singing with Barber Shop quartets, Boy Scouts, Charter Member of the Museum of Flight, Elks 1800 member, an adviser to United Way and many years as Ham Radio operator N7QAK, volunteering with the emergency radio network. He loved big band music, photography, traveling the world, Seahawks football, airplanes of all types, cars, boats, gadgets and computers. Truly, his greatest love was his family and friends. He loved playing Santa at Christmas, hosting birthday parties and watching his grandchildren grow up. A man of great strength, compassion and a brilliant mind. We will really miss you, Pop.

Special thanks go out to Pauline Goddard, Dr. James Bowers, NW Hospital and especially next door neighbors Howard and Cindy for their care and help. There will be a short graveside service at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 19th, at Acacia Memorial Park in Lake City.