Raymond R. (Ray) Green

In the early morning hours of November 20, 2015, Raymond R. Green passed away at home.  Ray was a kind and gentle soul who loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He was born in March of 1939 in Spokane, Washington, and was a life-long resident of the Coulee Dam area, where he grew up on the family ranch riding his horse to school. Ray graduated from Coulee Dam High School in 1958 where he excelled in multiple sports and developed a love of football and basketball.  He was proud to be one of the last to wear a leather football helmet as a freshman.  After graduation,  Ray briefly attended Eastern Washington College (now EWU) where he played football, then Spokane Community College, where he studied diesel mechanics, and Kinman Business School where he studied business. 

His career path led him to own and operate his own business and ranching.  The doors to Green's Truck and Equipment opened in 1966 and later expanded to include both a GMC Dealership and Arctic Cat snowmobile dealership ,and ultimately Green's Excavation.  Ray always had "a few" cows.  The number varied, depending on if it was Brenda asking or someone else, but they were central to his life.  

In addition to his cows, Ray's passions in life included working hard and playing hard, firefighting, running his dozer, snowmobiling, horseback riding in the mountains, rodeo – especially PBR – and good times with friends and family.  Throughout his life, Ray was always active in the community.   He was an Okanogan County Fire Commissioner, former President of the Nespelem REA for 20 years, Hartline Lions Club member, Elmer City Fire Department volunteer firefighter, Cattle Producers of Washington member, and a former 4-H leader.  

Ray is survived by his wife, Brenda; four children: Debbie (Tom) Akin, Tracey (Steve) Johnson, Ron Green, and Kevin (Kelly) Prather, along with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Ray is also survived by two brothers: Larry (Gaylene) Green and Dan Green, and several nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Rod Green; and brother, Jack Green. 

Funeral service was held Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., at the Nespelem Community Center, Nespelem, Washington, with Pastor Bill Williams, officiating.  Interment was held at the Spring Canyon Cemetery, Grand Coulee, Washington.

Memorial donations can be made to the Elmer City Fire Department.

Please sign the online guestbook at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com.  

Ray was a kind man who cared for others and never wanted to hurt anyone's feelings.  He was always the first to volunteer to help anyone who needed it.  He touched many lives and impacted many hearts; there are not enough words to capture the fullness of his life.  We lost both a pillar of the community and a great