Raymond John Rath passed away on November 7, 2019 at his home in Kennewick, Washington with family by his side. John was born on April 14, 1945 and was 74 years of age at the time of his passing, after a wonderful & very blessed life.
John was born in Hood River, Oregon to Raymond John and Theresa (Clarke) Rath. John attended elementary school in Portland, then May Street Middle School in Hood River and graduated from Hood River High School class of 1963. He then went on to attend Oregon State University and has been a dedicated Beaver fan ever since… Go Beavs!
John married Sharron Ray on December 18th, 1965 in Hood River, Oregon and to their union were blessed with two children; Michael John and Kimberley Ann. The family lived in Corvallis, Eugene and Portland before moving back to Hood River in 1972.
John worked early on for First Interstate Bank and was co-owner with his brother-in-law, Don Durr of Hood River Garbage from 1973 to 2000. In 2013 John and Sharron moved to Kennewick.
In his life John has had many loves and activities including, pickleball, tennis, billiards & pool, snow skiing and water skiing. He also loved playing games with family and friends; cribbage, Texas hold-em poker and trips to local casinos. After retirement he and Sharron traveled in their motorhome each year to Arizona, camping with The Good Sam Club and trips to Cove Palisades State Park were a family favorite with the kids.
John was a member of The Hood River Valley Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, Hood River Elks Lodge, and the Hood River Rotary Club and a past president of the club from 1993-1994.
John is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Sharron Rath of Kennewick, WA; children, Michael Rath (and wife, Shelly) of Sherwood, OR and Kim Rath Moore (and husband, Wayne) of Kennewick, WA; grandchildren, McKayla Rath Higgins (and husband, Michael) of Wilsonville, OR, Brandon Rath of Sherwood, OR; Brett Rath of Clifford, ND and Bronson Moore of Tempe, AZ; great granddaughter, Sharron Joy Higgins born December 9, 2018; siblings, Kathy Durr (and husband, Don), Thomas Rath (and wife, April) and Rick Rath (and wife, Julie); mother-in-law, Lorena Ray; sister-in-law, Pat Ray. He was preceded in death by his mother, Theresa in 2006; father, Raymond in 1979; and father-in-law, Virgil in 2008
Services to celebrate John’s life and mourn his passing are planned for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 16th, 2019 at Hood River Valley Christian Church (975 Indian Creek Rd, Hood River, Oregon 97031). Private interment will be at Idlewilde Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.
Family suggests memorials be made in John’s name to Chaplaincy Hospice Care of Richland or Hood River Valley Christian Church and sent care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.