Raymond Clark, 92, passed away July 13, 2014 at Rosebud County Nursing Home. Ray was born on May 15, 1922 in Wheat Basin, MT, the first child of Ralph and Dorothy (Huttleston) Clark. After his mother’s death in 1928, Ray moved with his family to Billings for a short time and then to Forsyth, MT in 1931. Ray attended Forsyth High School, graduating in 1942.
After high school, Ray served in the Army as a Military Policeman with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served in the China, Burma, and India Theater during WWII. Ray enjoyed the 2 1/2 years he spent in India and greatly enjoyed sharing stories of his time there. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.
After his return home from India, Ray attended Eastern Montana College in Billings. He then returned home to Forsyth to work with his father Ralph and his stepmother, Bess, at the family owned business, Clark Hardware. Ray loved working at the store where he could meet, visit, and help people, staying there until his retirement in 1991.
On February 16th, 1955, Ray married the love of his life, Elizabeth Davidson, in Rosebud, MT. Together they had three children, Kay, Linda and Richard.
Ray was a great sports fan especially enjoying boxing, in which he participated in at an earlier age, and enjoyed watching later in life. He also enjoyed hunting, shooting, gun collecting, rodeos, bowling, fishing, watching football and basketball. Ray liked having cattle, fixing fence, and spending time outdoors. He was a good friend to many and was extremely loyal to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his children: Kay (Eric) Roeslein, Linda Fjelstad, and Richard (Billi) Clark; Grandchildren: Jade Roeslein, Dustin (Heather) Roeslein, Christopher (Danielle) Bovee, Elizabeth Bovee, Kyle Fjelstad, Raymond, Courtney, McKenzie, and Brigitte Clark and four great grandchildren, Blake, Ian, Lorelei, and Paxton; his brother, Bob (Jeanne) Clark and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Dorothy, his stepmother Bess, Brother James and sister in law Ellen, Sister Patricia Mysse and brother in law Arnie Mysse, brother in law Don Langohr JR.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the Chapel in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.
A visitation in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth will be Friday, July 18, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
A reception will follow the services at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.
Graveside services will be a private family service.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 P.M.
Friday July 18, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday July 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Reception
Following service
Saturday July 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind LAne
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 P.M.
Friday July 18, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday July 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Reception
Following service
Saturday July 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind LAne
Forsyth, MT 59327
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Kurt Seward says
Betty, Kay, Linda and Dick I am so sorry for the loss of Ray. He was a very nice person and we will all miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Kurt Seward
Peggy and Earl says
Betty and Family,
Earl joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to you in Ray’s passing. May you find comfort and strength in knowing others care and are thinking of, and praying for you at this difficult time. We pray that you will find comfort in the love and support of family and friends, and peace in the many treasured memories you have of him. He will be greatly missed by his family ,friends, and the Forsyth community.
Billi Clark says
Love u Raymond ….u rock …..u will be sorely missed ……God bless u 4 ever & always my dear .
Williams Family says
Our deepest sympathy to the family. Please know that God will bring you comfort at this critical time. Even in the face of calamity you can have hope. Do not let your hearts be troubled. (John 14:27). Complete reliance on the “God of all comfort” will help you to endure. (2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4).
Judy Fleming says
Betty and Family
Was so sorry to hear about Ray. I will so miss him. He was such a good friend. MY prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
TJ Cape says
Betty & family,
We are so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He was a great man. We always enjoyed seeing him at the store and out and about. You don’t find many like him. May he rest in peace.
Gillin family
Connie Brown says
Betty, Kay and the rest of Ray’s family,
I am sorry to hear of your family’s loss. Ray was such a kind and gentle soul! May the blessings of God, with the memories you have and the love you share, carry you through this difficult time in your life.
Neal & Pam Shelton says
Ray was the nicest man I have ever known. With his kind & gentle way it was always a pleasure to visit with him. Always had something good to say. Often I would forget why I went into the store.
He will be missed!
Mary Woodhouse says
Words cannot express how sorry we are for your Family’s loss. Ray was an amazing man and an inspiration to all the lives he touched. It was an honor to have known him, he will always be remembered with great fondness. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With heartfelt condolences,
Kelly, Mary and Kids
Debra & Peter Nolan says
Sorry to hear of your Family’s loss. Our condolences.
Debra and Pete Nolan
Marjorie Chapman Beecher says
Dear Betty, My thoughts have been with you so often. Good to have family close by. Hope the two RAY s have a big visit. Letter follows. See you when I get back to Montana for a visit.
Ernie Menchaca says
Dear Clark family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. You all have been good friends to me and my family. We all will miss Ray, and have many fond thoughts and memories of him. I remember the trip to the ranch and how Ray took us out and showed us around and how kind and accommodating he and Betty were to us. Ray was one of the good ones. I can’t help feeling the world is just not quite as good of a place with him gone. God bless you all.
Thanks for who you are,
The Menchaca family
Rob Stephens says
Dear Ray Clark Family
I truly enjoyed visiting with Ray, listening to his stories and he always had a lot of them whenever you sat around at a BBQ or just under the stars. He had a great heart and a was just a nice guy–and you can’t beat that. It is sad he passed away but all of you were lucky and had him for a long, very special life. As they say and it so true in his case, the world is a better place because of people like him. Take care. I will always remember him with that great smile.
Rob Stephens
Frank & Nancy Dowers says
Dick and Billi, Though we never had the privilege of knowing Raymond, we have heard so much about him through you that we feel a kinship to him. Please know that you, and your family, have our thoughts and prayers during this time. We love you. Please convey our sorrow to your Mother.
Uncle Frank and Aunt Nancy
Penny Teeters says
Ray’s Family:
Ray was one of rthe nicest people I have evet met. I oved when he woudl come to visit with me when we lived out on Rosebud Creek on the “Clark Place”. My thoughts and prayers to all of you at this very difficult time.
Eric Alexander says
Dear Clark Family
Words alone cannot convey the deep heartfelt sorrow, that my Family and I are feeling now for all of you.
Ray was truly one of the nicest and kindest Gentleman I have ever met in my life. He was the type of Man that all young men should strive to become. Honest, hard working, a man of his word. Good to his friends and family. You always knew where Ray stood and where you stood with him.
I will always hold close the the memories of staying with Ray and Betty. They made me feel like one of the family. My good friend Dick Clark brought me back to meet his folks and go hunting on their Ranch. Little did I know that I would become friends with two of the nicest people anyone could ever hope to know. I even brought my family back there to meet them.
Ray, you will be much missed by many, as you were loved by so many…
My God bless you and all of your family.
And may God pardon you for occasionally dropping that “Big Right Hand” a bit.
Much love
Eric Alexander
Sue-Ann Jacobson says
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have such nice memories of the day spent with the Clark and Jacobson cousins.
Coate Family says
Dick — We are so very sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. Jesse has been sharing lots of great memories between the Clark and Coate families. We are thinking of you all! Jesse & Paula
Deb Roeslein says
Dear Betty and All,
I’m so very sorry that Ray has passed. He and all the Clark family hold a special place in my heart. I feel lucky to have known him for over 35 years. He is my birthday buddy.
I love the picture that you have chosen for this listing. That is exactly how I see him too. With his sweet smile and hat tipped to the side and ready to give a big hug. He was very proud of all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loves his family dearly. And Betty, he loved you the most. May God comfort you all. Love, Deb
Gail Kolb says
Dear Clark family, we send our deepest sympathies for the loss of Ray. He was a special man, and we always looked forward to seeing him when we went to the store. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God be with you!
Gerald and Betty Weipert says
To the Ray Clark Family,
Your Patriarch has completed the process and crossed over ….. He respected his God. He honored and served his Country. He loved, protected, and provided for his Family. He asked little for himself. He did indeed have his priorities in order. If every man adhered to these priorities, the world would be so much better. Your father had my deep and abiding respect while he lived. He leaves a huge void with his passing……. We share your loss.
Misty Boyer says
I am sorry I didn’t make it to his funeral 🙁 I really wanted to be there. Please know that Ray will forever and always have a place in my heart. He was a true gentleman to the core as well as a very intelligent, caring and loyal friend, I will never forget him. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, we will miss seeing you all too!!! Best of wishes in all that your futures hold! <3
Raymond Clark says
Grandpa Ray was the greatest grandparent I or any person could ask for. I always loved hearing and talking about his time in India, the Depression, and many other amazing events. It seemed to me that Grandpa Ray really lived an amazing life. I’m honored to be his grandson and to have his name. Still I wish I could of spent more time with him. He was a great influence on my life always teaching me honor, the value of hard work, and being a good person. I’ll deply miss him. I hope that he knows that and that I’ll always love him.
Diane DeCock Buell says
To Ray Clark Family —
So sorry to hear about Ray. I have lots of childhood memories of him in the hardware store as when going to town always stopped in. My most vivid memory is of him
behind the gun counter “selling”. He always had time to talk, too. Such a wonderful person.
Mike Langohr says
Aunt Betty, Kay, Linda, Dick and families –
What a nice and fitting ceremony for Uncle Ray last week. In so many ways Uncle Ray and Aunt Betty have been very positive examples and influences throughout my life. For that I am very thankful. I will always treasure the nice memories from my time in Rosebud and Forsyth. The world is in dire need of a whole lot more Ray Clarks!
All the best in the future.
Sincerely,
Mike