We are so sorry for the loss of your father (grandfather). It is comforting to know that in his final few days he spent time hunting, which was one of his favorite things to do. We will miss him.

I have many memories of your Dad, like the times he used to tell me scary stories, or when he would be whistling a tune in his funny way. Most of all, I think I will remember fishing with him the most.

I will always remember the time that he took my mother, my niece and nephew (Kim and Mike), and me fishing at a pond. On that day, he had picked a pond that was set way back in very tall grass. As you can imagine, we little kids just loved the tall grass. I remember cautiously looking for snakes with each step as we walked to it. Once we reached the pond, Ray baited all of our hooks with worms, and cast all of our lines for us, because he was much better at it than we were. As I think back, I am not sure if we were actually fishing at all, or if he was just fishing times five.

Just as the last line was baited and cast, a huge thunder clap sounded. We barely had time to look up before it started to downpour. He and my mother ended up having to carry us, (three terrified kids) along with all of the fishing rods and gear, back through the tall grass, over hill and dale, back to the truck to get out of the rain. We didn't catch a thing, but it was surely my most memorable fishing trip with him.