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Ray Melvin Anderson |
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January 28, 1929 ~ December 23, 2017 |
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December 27, 2017 |
Ray Melvin Anderson, 88, Troy, passed away
December 23, 2017, at Kalispell Regional Medical
Center. A memorial service was held December
27 at the Troy United Methodist Church.
He was born January 28, 1929 in Hockerville,
Oklahoma. He was the third of 13 children born
to the late Alva Melvin Anderson and Tiney E.
Goodwin. He was also preceded in death by his
sister Dorothy Hall and brothers Alva Lee
Anderson and JL Anderson.
In high school, Ray was an athlete and lettered
in three sports for three years at Riverton High
School in Riverton, Kansas. After graduating in
May of 1947, he went to Montana to visit and
began working at J. Neils Lumber Company, which
later became St. Regis Paper Co. and finally
Champion International.
He soon met the love of his life, Myrtle
McDougall.
They eloped July 27, 1949, and bought their
first house for $700 cash. They have six
children. In 1991, he retired from Champion
International after 45 years. He continued to
volunteer in the community and he and Myrtle
were named Man and Woman of the Year.
Ray appreciated nature and the beauty of his
Montana home. He loved his church, Troy United
Methodist Churc, old cars and sports. He enjoyed
cheering on his children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren any chance he had. He
volunteered for many years at the food pantry.
He was also a carpenter and woodworker and used
his talents to build his family’s home, the
first two Habitat for Humanity houses in Troy
and countless projects and renovations for
family and friends. Most of all, he loved his
family.
He had a quick witted humor and a contagious
laugh. He will be remembered for his sweet,
gentle and giving soul and the example he set as
a husband, father and friend. He had an
unmatched kindness that he shared with his
family, friends and the community around him.
Ray is survived by his wife of 68 years, Myrtle
McDougall, children Ken Anderson (wife Jacky),
Les Anderson, Camden DeMart (husband Herb),
Cookie Winslow (husband Paul), Darlene Anderson
and Cole Anderson (wife Tammy), grandchildren
Denver Winslow (wife Anita), Darcy DeMart, Amy
Pfeifle (husband Keenan), Josh Anderson, Susan
Marshall (husband Curtis), Asa Anderson, Chevon
Anderson, Adam Anderson (wife Courtney), Jared
Anderson (wife Cassidy) and David Anderson; and
great grandchildren Derrick Winslow, Cy Winslow,
Kenna Pfeifle, Reese Pfeifle, Eliza Marshall,
Luke Avidiya, Beau Avidiya, David Avidiya,
Payton Anderson, Kimber Anderson, Aspen
Anderson, Damen Anderson and Avery Anderson. He
is also survived by his siblings Alice Garber
(husband Bill), Lillian Hefley (husband Jim),
Carol Vierck (husband Carl), Dale Anderson (wife
Evie), Larry Anderson (wife Gaye), Danny
Anderson (wife Kathy), Neal Anderson (wife
Ruth), David Anderson (wife Sandy) and Darryl
Anderson.
Memorials may be to the Troy volunteer ambulance or Habitat for Humanity.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg
& Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online
condolences and memories may be shared by
visiting
www.schnackenbergfh.com. |
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