Passed peacefully on May 15th at the wonderful age of 102! Ray was born on a farm out of West Plains, Missouri. He was the youngest of four brothers who have preceded him in death, Paul, Lee & Othel. He rode a horse to a one room school, enjoyed fishing, hunting & raising Coon Hounds as a kid. He graduated from high school at the school of Ozarks. He worked his way through school by farming, working the store rooms for clothing & kitchen supplies. He then worked at the International Shoe Company in St. Louis, Missouri for 6 ½ yeas. During World War II, he enlisted & rose to rank of Chief Petty Officer in the Navy & was stationed at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska & also Farragut, Idaho working in the Supply Corp.
He Married Velma (Babe) Collier January 10, 1946. He then attended telegraphy school & worked for the Great Northern/Burlington Northern as an agent/ telegrapher for 32 plus years at Quincy, Ephrata, and Odessa & Ellensburg. After retirement he & Babe moved to Spokane. Travels took him to favorite spots Elko, Vegas, Branson, Missouri & Hawaii. He really enjoyed meeting up with his Navy buddies for a reunion every 2 years. After Babe’s passing he married Margaret Bolitho, a longtime family friend & they were married for 15 years.
Survived by his daughter Rayan Lee & husband Bruce, son Pat & wife Ann, one granddaughter Lou Ann, three great grandchildren, & two great greats plus several nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, daughter Raydene, wife Babe & second wife Margret.
The family wishes to thank Riverview Terrace & Care Center for their wonderful care since Ray was a resident. He will forever be remember for wanting his coffee HOT!
Please make any donations to the charity of your choice in memory of Ray.
A Service is scheduled Friday, May 24, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Mausoleum at Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA with Military Honors.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18