|
Virgil
Leroy Ray
Virgil Leroy Ray was born in Ione, Ore., on Aug. 15, 1919, to
Roy and Bertha (Keeler) Ray. He was the youngest of their three
children. Both parents and his siblings, Opal (Ray) Amos and
Floyd Ray have preceded him in death.
Virgil passed away in the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles,
Ore., on May 27 with his family by his side. He was 88 years
old.
A
service to celebrate his life is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday,
June 2, at Hood River Valley Christian Church, 975 Indian Creek
Road. Military honors will be performed by the Oregon Honors
Team. Graveside rites will follow at Idlewilde Cemetery.
The
family moved to Hood River in 1926. All of Virgil’s schooling
was in Odell schools. On Sept. 5, 1937, he married his school
sweetheart, Lorena King.
Virgil worked with his father-in-law, George King, on an
orchard for four years. In 1941, Richard, the first of his
children, was born. Between 1941 and early 1944, Virgil held
many different jobs and moved his family frequently.
In
the fall of 1944 he joined the Army to fight in World War II. A
few months after leaving to fight with an Army Field Artillery
unit, their second son, Earl, was born.
Early
in 1946, Virgil returned to Hood River and his family. He became
manager of an orchard owned by Stadelman’s Fruit Company. In
early 1947, their daughter, Sharron, was born. He ran this
orchard from 1946 into 1950.
From
1950 to 1962, Virgil was foreman of Stadelman’s warehouse and
cold storage facility. In 1962, Virgil and Lorena bought an
orchard in the Neal Creek area. They ran and worked the orchard
until 1972.
In
1972, they gave up ranching and moved to Portland where Virgil
worked at a trailer parts warehouse until some time in 1976.
While working there, Virgil studied massage. In 1976 he passed a
test and received his Oregon license from the American Massage
Association. He worked for the European Health Spa in Beaverton,
Ore., from 1976 to 1984.
In
1984, Virgil retired when Lorena's father passed away and they
moved back to Hood River to live with and care for her mother.
Virgil and Lorena lived in that home until mid-2005 when they
moved in with their daughter, Sharron.
Virgil is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lorena (King) Ray;
one son, Earl, and daughter-in-law, Gale, of Beaverton Ore.;
daughter-in-law, Pat (Huff) Ray, in Southern Pine, N.C.; and a
daughter, Sharron, and son-in-law, John Rath, of Hood River.
Virgil is also survived by nine grandchildren, 17
great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Virgil
was preceded in death by one son, Richard, and three
grandchildren.
The
family suggests any memorials be to Hospice of the Gorge or Hood
River Valley Christian Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute
Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave.,
Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000. Visit
www.andersonstributecenter.com to view and print the obituary
and sign the guest book for family. |
