Ray C. Grange, loving husband, father, brother, scouter, friend, and tease – passed away Thursday, September 1, 2022 after 95 incredible years in life.
Ray was born in Huntington, Utah to Ralph S. and Myrl Johnson Grange on November 22, 1926. Part of a strong family, he and his brothers were a lively crew and budding entrepreneurs who ran a business hauling loads for people in the community. He left high school early when he was drafted into WWII and served in the Philippines. He loved his country and continued his service as a member of the American Legion.
He married his eternal sweetheart, Phyllis Rae Gordon, on April 2, 1948. Ray knew Phyllis in high school but was fortuitously reintroduced to this quiet beauty when he returned from military service. After a brief courtship, Phyllis and Ray were sealed together in the Manti temple. Many years later they served together as ordinance workers in that same temple making time in the temple a staple of their life together.
Ray was a committed scouter. He earned his Eagle Scout as a youth and he just never left the program – he never did anything halfway and his service in scouting was evidence of that. He continued to strengthen boy scouts and leaders for more than 70 years. He started the very first cub scout chapter in Emery County and was the driving force behind the creation of the scout camp in Huntington Canyon. He was awarded the Silver Beaver medal for his extensive work in scouting throughout his life. He taught hundreds of boys to tie knots, shout cheers, perform first aid, and aim their lives toward learning and service.
Ray was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings and assignments as part of his membership including pretty much every possible calling in the scouting program, bishop, and also a seventy. Ray did not often visibly show his emotions, but his love of the Savior brought his feelings close to the surface. He rarely cried, but bearing a powerful, tender testimony to his descendants as part of a family trip to Bear Lake was one special time tears showed the depth of his connection to his Father in Heaven.
As a trucker, Ray was employed by the church to haul goods around the country. He loved the freedom of trucking, but he always missed his family when he was away. Driving through town when leaving on delivery in the wee hours of the morning, he would blow the horn as a farewell to his loved ones so they knew he was thinking of them. He was recognized for safe driving with more than 40 years of driving without an accident, an incredible accomplishment.
As much as he loved scouting, his work, and the church, Ray’s deepest dedication was to his family. He and Phyllis gave birth to six incredible children: Kerry, Teresa, Denise, Cindy, Therron, and Wendy. He taught his children to work hard and shoulder to shoulder they managed the family farm, hauled hay, cared for neighbors, and served in the community and church. He was a constant example of doing the best you can, even when it was hard. He always had time for his children, grandchildren, and others. Ray was a gentle soul who rarely raised his voice and simply made people feel loved. People were drawn to him and it felt good to be in his presence. Ray wasn’t much of a hugger, but when he would twitch his first two fingers at you and say “Keep your nose clean” you knew what he was really saying was “I love you.”
Ray is survived by five of his children Teresa (Mike) Whitmer, Denise (Steve) Stiles, Cindy (Donald) Mortensen, Therron (Estelle) Grange, and Wendy (Troy) Mikesell; daughter-in-law Carol Grange; siblings, Joseph Grange, Janis (Gene) Carlson, Deloris (Roy) Tucker, and Margo Jones; 20 grandchildren and dozens of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his soulmate, Phyllis; son, Kerry Ray Grange; and his granddaughter, Hadie Marie Mortensen.
Funeral service, Wednesday, September 7, 2022, 11:00 am at the Huntington Stake Center. A viewing will be held on Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm at Miller’s Landing in Huntington and at the stake center Wednesday one hour prior to the funeral. The burial will take place at Huntington Cemetery. If available, please wear scout shirts, sashes, or neckerchiefs to the funeral service. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are welcome to share memories of Ray online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net