Ray E. Davis

Ray E Davis, a longtime Cashmere resident passed away November 25, at home with his loving family at his side. Ray was born in Gastonia, NC to Leo and Margaret (Hoffman) Davis on January 6, 1924. When Ray was 4 years old, the family made the decision to move west seeking job opportunities. They landed in Big Lake, WA after having traveled on a flatbed truck the whole way. As a young man, Ray worked as an apprentice bricklayer and was working in the Seattle area when he met the love of his life, Loria Henion. In March of 1943, Ray entered the Navy during WWII and was part of the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign, stationed in Hawaii and Guam. Ray was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. Ray and Loria wrote to each other every day while he was in the service. In 1946 Ray and Loria married and moved to Dryden where they purchased a 5 acre parcel of land and built a cozy little barn with future plans to build their first home. During those first years in the barn, they welcomed their two sons, Terry and Dale. Eventually, Ray and Loria built their dream home and this home became the family gathering place for many years. When the sons grew up and left the nest mom and dad decided it was time to make a change. They bought a 10 acre orchard and Ray built their present day home east of Cashmere. Again Ray and Loria’s home was where the family gathered and had so many good times. Ray was a commercial Masonry Contractor and built schools, warehouses and CA storage buildings. When Ray retired Terry took over the business and Ray became a fulltime orchardist. During harvest time the family and friends pitched in to help pick the crop and Ray was the boss. Ray and Loria enjoyed being Snowbirds in Arizona during the winter and cruising the Canadian San Juans and Alaska in the summer on their boat, the LORAY. Ray loved his family and especially his four grandkids, Pete, Jamie, Angela and Chris. Many days were spent with these grandkids teaching them how to fish and catch crab and cruising on the Loray. The grandkids fondly remember traveling to Anacortes with grandpa singing Marty Robbins songs or whistling all the way. Ray was a Hero to his wife and family. We all loved him beyond words and will miss him every day. Ray is survived by his wife of 71 years Loria; his son Terry and wife Patti; Peter Davis & wife Elena, Jamie Davis, Chris Davis & wife Teresa, Angela Stedman and husband Dave. Great grandchildren Ananda Davis, Kamryn and Connor Davis, Derek and Breanne Stedman and loving former daughter in-law Marilou Hughes. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, son Dale Davis, brother Roy Davis, sisters Lillian Mowat and Helen Bushey. Private family burial with be at the Cashmere Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Jones & Jones ~ Betts Funeral Home Friday December 1, at 2:00 P.M.

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Ray E. Davis

January 6, 1924 - November 25, 2017