Ray Ervin Gaffield, age 92, of Glendive formerly of Sidney passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2013 at Holy Rosary in Miles City.
Ray was born to Chester and Viola Gaffield on September 19, 1920 in Frazer, Montana. Ray quit school in 1937 to help at home. In 1942 Ray entered the US Army, while in the Army he served during WWII, where he fought in the Battle of Normandy and then the surge thru Europe. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He farmed in Savage and then later in Terry before returning to Sidney to work at Sidney Sugar. He would then become the manager of the Moose Lodge for the next 15 years. He moved to Troy for 9 years where he worked for a saw mill. He then returned to Crane Montana where he bought the Newlon Greenhouse and bartended at the Moose Lodge until he eventually closed the greenhouse and moved to the Lincoln Apartments in 1982. He lived there until moving to the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive in 2011.
Ray enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and talking to his friends and family. He was an active member of both the Moose Lodge and the VFW Post in Sidney. He was liked by all and had many friends
Ray is survived by two sisters; Lola Strasheim of Sidney and Buehla, and four sons Ervin Gaffield of Oregon, Terry and Kathy Gaffield of Fairview MT, Pat and Rhonda Gaffield of Gillette WY, and Tim Gaffield of Helena MT. He has many grandkids and great grandkids.
Ray was preceded in death by his father Chester Gaffield, mother Viola Gaffield, four brothers Dale, Don, Elmer and Milton, two sisters; Barbara Lynch and Noana Moore, one grandson Chester, and a special friend Hazel Wersland.
Ray’s life will be celebrated at the Big O on Saturday, March 23, 2013 starting at 4 p.m. He will be put to rest at a later date at the Crane Cemetery by his family.
Directions to the Big O are Hwy 200, 3 miles East of Fairview.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
4:00 p.m.
Saturday March 23, 2013
Big O
3 Miles East of Fairview on Hwy 200
Fairview, MT
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
4:00 p.m.
Saturday March 23, 2013
Big O
3 Miles East of Fairview on Hwy 200
Fairview, MT
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J Johnson says
Dear Family and Friends of Ray Gaffield, even though I did not personally know Mr. Gaffield, the loss of every human life is significant to me and should be valued by all. It is obvious according to the information listed above about Mr. Gaffield that he was loved and his life touched many people. His life was also valued by the Creator who recorded in the Bible book of Hebrews that God does not forget all of the love and fine works shown by his servants (Heb 6:10). It was not God’s purpose that mankind suffer and die. At creation God was able to say that everything was “very good” (Gen 1:31) Death was introduced through Adam’s disobedience (Genesis 2:17). Jesus’ sacrifice of his human life on earth again gave us hope of everlasting life and soon death will be no longer occur (Revelation 21:4). Hopefully, faith in these Bible promises will ease the pain from this loss as you look forward to seeing Mr. Gaffield again under perfect Paradise conditions as promised in the Bible.
jen t says
I knew ray thru my great grandma hazel.. they were such good friends.. hugs and prayers o
Laura Grzanic says
I had the pleasure of visiting with Ray when he was EMVH. My Dad was at EMVH also and Ray and Dad shared many stories of Normandy and of the Big O. My Dad grew up near the Big O at Fairview. My condolences to the family and friends. Ray was a wonderful man. Laura Grzanic
Gary Gilligan says
I am sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. He worked with my dad, Bill Gilligan, at the Moose Lodge for years. I remember a funny moment with Ray about 7 or 8 years ago. There was a Halloween Party at the Moose and I put on sheetrock stilts and was dressed up ar Grim Reaper. I sat down next to Ray (he didnt know it was me at the time) and he just looked up and said “I dont want to talk to you!” But when I revealed myself he just laughed and laughed like he always did!!! Rest In Peace dear friend!!!! You will be missed.
C.Anderson says
I want to say thank you for your service, and sorry for your loss to your family. I am ever so thankful to every person who has defended our freedom. I pray God’s peace and grace rest on your family!
Debbie Ueland says
I have such great memories of Wanda and Tyke in Troy, MT. They were my parents best friends until Wanda left her family
Tyke built a house north of Troy close to Yaak Mountain in an area that was healing from a forest fire. I played with Ervin, Terry and Pat. Timmy was just a toddler. We would get home covered in charcoal from the burnt trees and brush. It was the old days when people visited and played cards. I have often wondered how Ray was doing. God bless the Garfield family and Ray “Tyke” Garfield.