Claron R. Sallgren “C Ray”, age 86, of Miles City passed away January 24, 2013 with his family by his side after a long illness.
He was born in Ismay, MT, December 11, 1916 the son of Joe and Helen (Higgins) Sallgren. He attended Ismay schools until the age of 7 when the family moved into Miles City. At the age of 17 he went to work on a seismograph crew in Louisiana until he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as a paratrooper both in Japan and the Philippines, returning to Miles City where he made his home for the rest of his life.
He married Beverley Fuhrman in 1948 and to this union they had four daughters. Beverly passed away in 2003. Ray and Irene Maier were married in 2004 and he inherited seven more children. He was an over-the-road truck driver for over 30 years. He did some farming, worked for Prince Inc. & Custer County along with some construction and bartending.
Ray was very active in the Miles City V.F.W. having held most local offices. He was a life member and helped build the local VFW. He served as Commander of the Honor Guard for 11 years. He built the Honor Board in the club room, worked the flag crew for many years as well as being available for whatever else needed to be done. He was an honorary member of the VFW Auxiliary working many hours with the gals in the kitchen, a member of the Walleye’s Unlimited and past member of the Eagles, Elks, and Loyal Order of Moose Clubs.
He is survived by his wife Irene; 4 daughters, Barbara Brendt of Miles City, MT, Shirley (Lee) Hendry of Miles City, MT, Nancy Hawk of Las Vegas, NV and Lori Price of Sidney, MT; 3 step daughters, Marcia (Chuck) Goldmark of Carmichael, CA, Jeanette (Chuck) Cremer of Billings, MT, and Toni (Larry) Pembroke of Gaylord, MI; 3 sisters, Edna Pangburn, Marie (John) Reamy both of Billings, MT and Helen “June” Sallgren of Olympia, WA; his mother-in-law Berniece Turnquist of Cooperstown, ND; 2 brother-in-laws; Allan (Glady) Turnquist and Terry (Mickey) Turnquist both of Miles City; a sister-in-law Jean Engebretson of Longview, WA; numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bob, Russell and Gordon; sister Phyllis; 2 step-sons Danny Taylor and Marty Bjerke.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 28, 2013 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow at the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by VFW Post # 1579.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday January 28, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 29, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday January 29, 2013
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday January 28, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 29, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday January 29, 2013
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
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Dannette Cremer says
Irene and family: So sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories of the time you had together. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Carol Rath Raschkow says
To Shirley, Lori , Barb and all of Ray’s family. I have lost contact over the years, but have never forgotten the fun that Shirley and I had and the warm loving fun we had with your parents. Ray was a lot of fun to be around and I will always remember him fondly…
God Bless
Carol Rath Raschkow
Marcy Parks says
Lori,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My dad thought very highly of him and always spoke well of “C Ray”. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marcy Stabler Parks
Bill Gierke says
Irene, Nancy, Lori, et al,
My prayers are with you during this difficult time. I really enjoyed both Ray and Irene’s company while visiting Miles City to see my father. I also appreciate all they did for him in the last years of his life. God bless you.
Bill Gierke
Lorrie Pearce says
Irene and family, so sorry to hear about C-Ray. Only knew him for 3 years, but I liked him a whole lot. So laid back, and fun to be around. Again, so sorry for your lost.
Kathie Gierke Zoller says
To Ray’s family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I loved seeing your father coming into the VFW when working there and after. He always had a kiss for my check and a smile on his face. Thank you and Irene for helping my dad and Gert the last year of his life. We have gone back years at the picnics and fun at the “hall.” May you be blessed and know now he is in heaven and not in pain and the sickness is gone. My he rest in Peace. Love you all. Kathie
Darcy Christopherson says
Ray was a wonderful guy always lending a helping hand. He will be forever missed and held so dear to our hearts.
Agnes Drane says
To the Sallgren family so sorry to hear of Rays passing he will be dearly missed, you are all in our thoughts and prayers
Lori Price says
Thank you everyone for your kind words and blessings. Dad was a special man and will be greatly missed. We are however grateful that he is no longer in pain and misery, and take comfort in knowing that he is at peace. Again thanks to all for thinking of dad and his family during this rough time. God Bless each and every one of you.
Tyler Pembroke says
I remember seeing Ray for the first time, and that was when he marrying my grandma. They both looked so happy, and when I heard he passed away I was in complete shock. To Ray’s family I just want you to know that he will be missed, and the memories, no matter how few of them I have of him will be treasured forever.