Ray Reid

Visitation: Sunday, April 11, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home.

Vigil Service: Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, April 12, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City.

Graveside Service: Calvary Cemetery.

Ray Reid, 91, passed away on April 7, 2010 in Miles City, MT.

He was born on June 14, 1918 north of Jordan, MT at Reid Coulee. The family moved to Miles City during his youth. He distributed newspapers to the carriers while going to school and earned the nickname Sleepy which stuck with him for life. He graduated from Sacred Heart Grade School and Custer County High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe and participating in The Battle of the Bulge. While home on leave, he had a blind date, and met Margaret Etchemendy, whom he married shortly thereafter on August 12, 1946. They celebrated 55 years together before Margaret passed away in 2001.

Ray worked as a barber in Miles City for many years. For part of that time he also owned Grants Pool Hall where he enjoyed his interaction with the kids. He then found a great fit with the Knights of Columbus Insurance Company, where he became a General Agent and traveled throughout Montana, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho managing his agents. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus organization for over 50 years, rising to the top state level of State Deputy between 1962 and 1964 The Knights of Columbus gave Ray and Margaret a lifestyle, traveling around the US attending meetings as Montana and Miles City representatives. Ray said that if he knew he would be so busy after retirement that he would have retired earlier. He picked up odd jobs but his favorite was bailiff of the district court. He received a plaque from Judge Day naming him Bailiff Emeritus and he couldnt have been more proud. Ray never passed up an opportunity to socialize and have fun with his many friends of all ages. He loved having birthday parties because it was another chance to see everyone. He particularly enjoyed that his granddaughters and friends came over for lunch everyday during school and that many of those girls still remembered him and stay in touch.

Ray watched every Western movie that was ever made several times. He recognized all the actors and knew the horses by name. Ray and Margaret loved to dance, and spent many hours twirling on the dance floor. His family believes he and Margaret are dancing together again.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, his daughter Celeste, and his siblings Jack, Annie, Frances, Cassie, and Louise.

He is survived by his children: Marty and Mike Copps of Broadus, Rick and Keryl Reid of Billings, Jan and Jim Bastian of Miles City, Kelly and Cindy Reid of Miles City, Jeff and Helen Reid of Mission Viejo, CA, Greg Reid of Roseville, MN, Ryan and June Reid of Colstrip, and Lisa and Randy Perry of Huntley. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Vigil services will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Badlands Bowl Endowment Fund, c/0 Jan Bastian, 107 Balsam Dr. Miles City, MT 59301.