Virgil Leroy Ray, was born in lone Oregon on August 15th, 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 Veteran's Home in The Dalles Oregon on May 27 with his family by his side. He was 88 years old.
A service to celebrate his life is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 2nd 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 September 5th, 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 sometime 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 Oregon 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 his wife Gale of Beaverton Oregon; one daughter-in-law Pat (Huff) Ray in Southern Pine NC; and a daughter Sharron and her husband John Rath of Hood River. Virgil is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 3 great, great-grandchildren. Virgil was preceded in death by one son, Richard and 3 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 Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031. Please visit our website to view and print the obituary and sign the guest book for family.