Ray Lloyd Mace, age 80, of Miles City passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015 in Miles City.
Ray was born on February 6, 1935 at Ranch Creek Montana, the 7th of 10 children of Vera and Frederick Mace. His family homesteaded at Ranch Creek, Montana where they raised livestock. Upon the death of his father in 1943, his mother Vera sold the ranch shortly after and moved the family to Miles City. Ray attended Custer County high school and upon graduation, joined the army serving with the 101st Airborne as a paratrooper during the Korean War.
Ray met Shirlee Van Pelt in 1954 and they were married in 1955. While working full time and raising three children, Ray earned his bachelor’s degree with a double major in Science and English from Eastern Montana College. He began his educational career in Superior Montana where he taught science, math and English and Shirlee taught kindergarten. After receiving his Masters Degree from the University of Montana, Ray served as the Superintendent of the Lincoln County School District in Eureka Montana.
In 1972, Ray and his family moved to Broadus where he served as the Superintendent of Schools. In 1973 Shirlee sustained a serious accident from which she never fully recovered. After many years of serving in education, Ray embarked upon his entrepreneurial endeavors, including The Homestead Inn with his second wife Chris. He continued his passion for education in the development of curriculum for various educational institutions.
Ray moved to Salem Oregon where his daughter Dawn lives and while there, he worked in construction. Upon retirement, he moved to Brookings Oregon. In 2013, Ray moved back to Miles City to be closer to family and friends. Most recently, Ray was the Director for the Academy and enjoyed substitute teaching for the Miles City school district.
Ray is preceded in death by father Frederick Mace, mother Vera Mace, brothers Max Mace and Dan Mace, sisters Jean Holst, Maryann Iron, and Patsy Magnesen. He is survived by sisters Vera Carter, Katherine Flint, Peg Jerrel, and Francis Dudley. He is survived by his three children Dawn Bostwick (Jim) of Salem, Oregon; Dana Mace (Charlie) of Imperial, California and Leslie Knutson of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Ray had three grandchildren, Morgan Bostwick, Taylor Bostwick, and Mattie Knutson.
Ray was truly a unique individual. He loved to fish and had a deep appreciation of nature. He shared that enthusiasm with his family, taking many fishing and camping adventures. (Think The Griswolds.) He was passionate in his never ending search for knowledge and was a true friend and mentor to everyone. His gregarious personality, quick wit and hearty laugh will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with 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 Friday, April 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Ray’s children would like to thank our friends and family for helping Ray throughout the years, and a special thank you to Bonnie Mace who has been especially helpful the last several years.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 2, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 2, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday April 3, 2015
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Friday April 3, 2015
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 2, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 2, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday April 3, 2015
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Friday April 3, 2015
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Share
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Catherine, Peggy and families,
So sorry about your brother Ray. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. God Bless.
Dottie Johnstone says
So sorry to hear this, prayers to all the family.
April and David Thompson says
Peggy and all the family,
So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. I pray for comfort and peace for all of you.
John & Bonnie says
PEG, SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT RAY. YOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS. LOVE YOU
Vic and Laura Lee Ullrich says
So very sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He certainly had a big impact on our community of Broadus. Prayers for the whole Mace family.
Karen Gunther says
so sorry to here the passing of Ray. I so remember his time in Broadus, prayers for his family
Kathy Damm Culy says
Peg, Ray and family
Thinking of you you all ,with the loss of your brother Ray.
May your memories carry you thru this sad time.
Kathy Damm Culy
Helen (Raymond) Lucas says
We were sorry to learn of Ray’s passing. May you be blessed with wonderful family memories.
Helen (Raymond) and Paul Lucas
Mike Reynolds says
when I was a young man in Miles City and was starting my career as a school administrator, Ray was superintendent at Broadus. He took it upon himself to be my mentor. I will always appreciate his can-do attitude. He had a huge impact on my career. I am sorry we lost contact with each other over the years.
Lee Lindsey says
Condolences to Rays fmily. I spent many happy times with Ray & Chris during his time in Billings at Denver Business College. Above all else, Ray was always an educator.
George B. says
Ray was our superintendent in Lame Deer for a short, he was a very good administrator and person, I had a lot of respect for him…he was very honest and a very good person……he was a good example for all of us younger……….
Skin and Betty Collins says
Our thoughts and sympathy is with the whole Mace family. So wished we could have had a visit with him again after he moved back to Miles City. Had lots of good times with him and Chris in Broadus. R.I.P. Ray.
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
Our thoughts & prayers to all of Ray’s family. Knew him well while in Broadus, thru our school system & more.
Lois Scanlan Parmenter says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Ray’s children, Peg, Vera and Francis. I have lots of good memories of Ray, he was so quick witted, smart, very social and laughed easy. I spent a lot of time with him and Chris over the years, during holidays and over meal and cards. My heart goes out to all of you.
Joan Damm Smith says
Peg and family, I am sorry to hear of Rays passing. I remember him some and pray your last years in Miles City with all the family there was special. Good Bless, Joan
Serena & Wayne Wetherelt Jr. says
Thoughts and prayers to the Family of Ray Mace. May you all cherish the memories you have of your loved one. God Bless You
June & Pete Minow says
Vera, Peg and all the Mace family, We are so sorry for the passing of your loved one. We knew Ray well when he was in Broadus. He was superintendent of schools when I worked at the district clerks office. We enjoyed visiting with him when eating at the Homestead. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Linda Clements Hall & Vera Clements says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Ray definitely was a big influence in Broadus for many years. We were so glad to have Ray at the 100 year Reynolds picnic at Vera’s last July.
Jackie Amsden Slovak says
Thoughts are with you all.
Jim Coate says
Dawn, Dana, and Leslie,
Your dad gave me my first teaching job in Broadus in 1973, and I am eternally grateful. He was a fine man, educator, and father, and I have many fond memories of the years with him in Broadus. You have my heartfelt sympathies in this difficult time.
Sue Ann Heidel Leininger says
We had a lot of trips up and down the little hill between our houses (and so did FangChu) for those years you were in Broadus and they are very fond memories. I am sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Mom and Dad had the utmost respect for him as an administrator, taking the school to new heights, and as a man. We Heidels are all thinking of you at this time.
Judy Denson-Keller says
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this difficult time. My high school years were the best school years of my life because of Ray. Ray was the type of person who believed in his students and he had your back if you could prove to him that you were doing your best. May God Bless all of you at this time and may he rest in peace.
Sharon L Volkman says
Ray, such a remarkable person. You accomplished so much – and had planned to accomplish so much more regarding education. You are missed by so many. It’s been a privilege knowing you. Your good-natured happy laugh was fun.
Nicki Van Noort says
I didn’t know Ray for long but he showed his colors as a very wise and cherished Native elder in our book groups in Brookings OR. We speak of him often and miss his humor and perspective shared with us. Ray may you find the peace you sought with loved ones in crossing over. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rays family to which he returned and to be closer to his love of the rivers and land.
Kathleen (Kat) Hartman says
I only learned of Ray’s passing today, June 30th. I was a member of Unity of Brookings with Ray while he lived in Brookings OR. I enjoyed knowing him and experiencing his kindness and sense of humor. He will be missed.
shirley walters says
I too am from Brookings OR. I enjoyed him at Unity Church and the book clubs we attended. I appreciated everything about him and I am grateful for all that I learned from his sharing of himself in every area. Thank you Ray!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathleen Reis says
Ray was, for quite a while, the only male attendee at our spiritual meetings in Brookings, OR. He was like a rooster in a hen house, totally unshakable. It was a treat to listen to him explain the workings of the universe. He was always open to new ideas and the exploration of the unknown. I will miss him. Thanks for the memories, Ray, and much love to you all.
liz waide says
I have thought of Ray so many times.I met him when he was at 101st Army. I tried so many timesto contact him.Such a gentleman! So sorry to hear of his passing.I met him at USO in Evansville in