E. Ray Clontz

E. Ray Clontz, Jr. was born on December 18, 1934 in Kellogg Idaho to Esten Sr. and Laura (Bradley) Clontz. Ray was the oldest of 3 children. He is survived by sisters Janice Weinzinger of Portland and Barbara Briggs of Ontario, Oregon. His parents preceded him in death, as well as Stepfather Charles Ruth. His family later moved to Fruitland Idaho, where they took up farming. His maternal Grandparents Loren and Minnie Bradley and Great Aunt Cora were a very important part of his life growing up, and remained very loved and important to Ray until their deaths and beyond. In 1954 Ray joined the armed forces and served in the11th and 82nd Airborne as a Paratrooper. Upon discharge in 1957, he met and married Glenda Hope Loudermilk. She preceded him in death on August 27, 2016. He worked as a Police Officer in Payette, Idaho before moving to Oregon in 1960 to work as a Correction's Officer on Death Row at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Ray was held hostage by prisoners in a riot in 1968, a very scary time for the family. Soon after, he began working at the Corvallis Post Office as a clerk until his retirement in 1991. Ray and Glenda called Corvallis home from 1968 to the time of their death. Ray and Glenda are survived by their three children, Larie Trivett (Tim, son David and Daughter Mary Ignacio) of North Albany, Lysa Philipson (Howard, sons Christopher and Matthew) of North Albany, and Son Terrell Clontz, as well as numerous grandchildren and great Grandchildren. Ray is also survived by his longtime friend and prior fellow postal worker, Ted Krowpman of Corvallis. Ray will always be remembered for his love of animals, and also his passion for motorcycles, which he rode most of his fife. His children, especially Daughter Lysa, were able to share this passion with him. During the last several years of his life he had macular degeneration, which left him nearly blind, as well as other health problems. He was able to live independently until recently because of the dedicated, loving care from his Daughter Larie, who arranged Doctor's appointments, managed his medicines and medical care, did his shopping, and helped him to live independently. The family owes Larie a tremendous amount of thanks and recognition for the selfless loving care she devoted to both Ray and Glenda for so many years, while also working full time as a nurse at the Mennonite Home, where dad received superb care for the last few months. His son Terrell also checked on him daily, and daughter Lysa maintained his beloved cats Kitty Jo and Ladybug. Ray will be remembered by many for his simple philosophy of life according to Ray, that if anything can go wrong, it will-twice-on a Tuesday. It is never good-bye, but until we meet again, so keep the Harley running smoothly, dad. There must be motorcycles in heaven. Services will be held at a later date in Idaho.

Tributes

E. Ray Clontz

December 18, 1934 - September 28, 2016