RAY, Gary J.

bluemountaineagle 4 Dec 2012 Gary J. Ray, 67, of Canyon City, died Nov. 19, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, from complications after a brain hemorrhage. A funeral Mass was held Monday, Nov. 26, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church. His ashes were buried in a private ceremony at St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery in Canyon City. Mr. Ray was born June 16, 1945, in Salt Lake City, to Ruth and John Ray. After hardships early in life, he and his mother, Ruth, moved to Prairie City in 1995, and later to Canyon City. He became active in the community and the Catholic Church. He worked for the Forest Service for several seasons before landing the job he loved at Fish and Wildlife. At one time he was a member of the planning commission. He rose to be grand knight and district deputy of the Knights of Columbus, but could also be found in the kitchen, washing pots and pans after the clam feast. He took great care of his mother whose patience he had tried many times. And he provided almost daily comic relief to the deli counter staff at Chester’s Thriftway in John Day. He is remembered for his playful sense of humor, irrepressible spirit despite the challenges of illness, quick intelligence and limitless devotion to his faithful dog, Ranger, who died within a few days of Ray’s death. Survivors include his son, Jeff Ray; siblings, Alice, Tom, Bob and Bill; and six nieces and nephews.