Raymond Robert Rizor was born November 27, 1943 to Steve and Lethea (Daley) Rizor in Guernsey, Wyoming where he spent his early years surrounded by a large extended family.
Later his family moved frequently as his father was a power plant operator for the Bureau of Reclamation. Ray spent his junior high years in Wyoming and New Mexico and attended High School in Jamestown, North Dakota prior to joining the Marine Corps.
Following three years in the military, Ray was united in marriage to Kaaren Olsen May 1, 1965 in Los Angeles, California. Ray’s career in fire control with the US Forest Service began in 1970. In 1978 Ray and Kaaren moved with their children, Mike and Lisa, to Fort Howes Ranger Station near Ashland, Montana where Ray served for many years as the Fire Management Officer on the Ashland Ranger District of the Custer National Forest.
After Ray retired in 1992, the Rizors enjoyed raising their foster daughter Marlene Flying Horse, visiting their children and grandchildren in the Midwest, traveling, boating, serving their area through Ashland Community Health Center, and raising Ray’s prized herd of registered Appaloosa horses on Otter Creek. Ray was an active member of the Appaloosa Horse Club and his contributions to the Appaloosa Journal magazine focused on creating a healthy breed, free of genetic diseases.
Ray’s line of work called on him to set aside personal safety not once but many times when lives, homes, and property were at stake. He’d never admit to being a hero, saying he was just doing his job. Perhaps most importantly, Ray was a bridge builder. His friendships with people from all walks of life were central to who he was and what he believed. His philosophy, “we’re all just people” enabled him to connect with others and find common ground. As a result, Ray was loved by many.
Ray’s exuberance for life, his love of nature, and his quest for adventure made for quite a journey. Indeed, he lived and in doing so inspired the rest of us to do the same. Ray loved bluebirds and built many houses for them on his place. Bluebirds will forever remind us of the man we knew and adored.
Ray passed away in the evening on January 24 at his home in Ashland at the age of 69.
Survivors include his wife, Kaaren; two children, Mike (Anne) Rizor of Delano, MN and Lisa (Russ) Aslesen of Ottumwa, IA; two sisters, Kathy Reardon of Casper, WY and Vickie Storm of Glenrock, WY; one brother, Steve Rizor of Colorado Springs, CO; five granddaughters, Maddy, Libby, Ellie and Maggie Rizor and Hannah Aslesen; eight nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Ron, and one sister, Clea, who died in infancy.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Chris and Diana Elwood says
Karen and family,
So very sorry to hear of Ray’s death, you all have been in our prayers and we will continue to lift you before the Lord thru this difficult time. God bless.
Love
Chris and Diana
Michelle Stewart says
Karen & Family
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead. Peace be with You.
Jeff, Valorie, Robin Robinson & Michelle (Knapp) Stewart
Vernon & Carolyn May says
To the family of Ray Rizor:
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy comes with thoughts and prayers for you. May God give you the strength to face the days ahead.
Colleen & Doug Hopkins says
Kaaren and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mimi Nickel says
Karen & Family,
So very sorry to hear about Ray. I will always remember his warm smile & his great sense of humor. Keeping you all in my prayers
Jamie & Kimmie Olson says
Kaaren and family, your loss is felt by the whole community, what a wonderful man and what a huge loss to us all. We will keep you in our prayers
Heidi Brown says
Karen and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. I hope you can find comfort knowing he is at peace. While I did not get to spend much time getting to know you both what I learned from Ray I will carry with me for years to come. God Bless you and your family.
Heidi Brown
Dean and Sharon Millett says
Kaaren and Family
Our deepest sympathy for you over your loss. Ray was one of a kind and I have many fond memories of him from the time we spent in Ashland. I will always remember him.
Kay and Bill McGregor says
Kaaren and family,
We are saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. He was such a kind, nice man and always made a person feel like you were just who he wanted to see at that moment. I am sure that he is just the man The Lord wanted to see now. We pray that you find comfort and peace in the days ahead. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kay and Bill
Steve & Lucy Jessen says
Kaaren, Mike and Lisa:
Ray was like the man in the poem who built his house by the side of the road and was a friend to everyone who passed by. Lucy and I recall the times we spent in Ray’s log home, sitting on the porch and watching the traffic (human and otherwise) passing up and down the Otter Creek Road. We cherish those conversations and the company. Ray will be missed by many. He was indeed a hero and a friend. You have our deepest sympathy.
Stephen Mikolajcik says
Our deepest condolences to the family.
The Mikolajcik family.
Sharon Wilcox says
Kaaren, You have my sympathy at the loss of your husband. He is now at peace and I hope that you can find some time to let yourself heal. I have missed you at our MPCA meetings and hope to see you back in action soon. Take care of yourself and your family.
wanda bixby says
Kaaren am sorry to hear of your loss my prayers are with you and yours may God giude you and wrap his loving arms around you
Quirt and Jaci Phillips says
Kaaren and family so very sorry for your loss. Will always remember Ray’ s kindness and compassion to everyone. You are in our thoughts.
DeWanda & Jay Houle says
Our deepest condolences and prayers to you and family.
Curt and Cathy Fleming says
Karen and family – Ray will be sorely missed by everyone. You and your family will be in our hearts and prayers in the day ahead.
karen Gunther says
My prayers are with the family of Rays family, , We know the family well as our son was a classmate of Mike. I know you will have many memories to have forever.
Penny Klopcich says
Karen and family,
My deepest sympathy for your loss of Ray. Your family has been such an asset ot the Ashland community. There are so many wonderful memories for you to remember Ray Think of the best to get the biggest smiles.
Kenny Gress & Julie Gatlin says
So sorry to hear about Ray. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Lorie and Willy Thex says
Karren and family,
We are sorry to hear about your loss of Ray. He was such a very warm and friendly person who always had a smile and kind word for everyone he met. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Lorie and Willy
Charlie & Shirley Russell says
Dear Karen and family,
Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to you at this time of Ray’s passing. We always so enjoyed a visit with him; what at great guy!
Ronda Gress says
Kaaren, Mike, and Lisa – I am so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him, but I remember his smile like it was yesterday. He was such a kind man and always willing to help. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Ronda
Fran & Stan Oswald says
Kaaren & family,
So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He will be missed. You are in our prayers!
Audrey Snodgrass says
Kaaren, I am so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. We can all take comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and he is back to his robust self. Ray is a great guy and will be missed by many.
Mitch and Jody Hediger says
Mike and family, so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Terey Mitchell, Tim & Kyle says
Mike and family,
Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with you and your family.
God Bless.
Janette Krutzfeldt Jones says
I worked with Ray two summers at Fort Howes fighting fire. He was such a fun boss – easy going, but still kept on top of getting the work done. He had a great laugh, even when things got heated. He was so proud of his family and I am sure he will be busy looking after all of you from his new position.
Cody Meyer says
Mike,
Beth and I extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Cody
Tiger & Kelly Stevenson says
Karen & Family,
We just learned Of Ray’s passing this morning. I will always remember Ray and that sense of humor. 🙂 I am so sorry. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Ann Gunnare says
Thinking of you all. Your family was very special to us when we began our careers in Ashland, Montana. We look back to those times with fondness. Take care – all our love. The Gunnares
Kathy Nance Dietz says
Kaaren, Mike & Lisa,
I am keeping you all in my prayers and look forward to seeing you this week and sharing in the celebration of Ray’s life. I have so many fond memories of growing up with Mike & Lisa and all the time we spent together. Kaaren, you and Ray will always be considered as my second set of parents! So many fun stories! Hugs & love to all of you!
Kathy
Shirley and Tom Skinner says
Kaaren and family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in out thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. May you find strength in knowing the Lord will help you through this, and know that he has wrapped his arms around Ray.
Shirley and Tom Skinner
Toni Lippert says
Lisa & Family,
May you be comforted by the great Comforter as He holds you close during this time of loss. Please know that you are in so many hearts and prayers during this season. Your family has meant a lot to so many over the years & those of us that can’t be there physically during this time are totally with you in spirit and love. ❤
Eric & Jean Bell says
Mike, it is always very difficult to lose a parent and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I did not know your father but reading his breif history and knowing you leads me to believe he had a wounderful life filled with joy.
Debra Currey Terrett says
Sending thoughts and prayers to you, Kaaren, and your family. May God bless you with comfort and peace during this most difficult time.
Tricia and Ken Miller says
Mike and family
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I remember meeting your dad once when he was visiting and came to the plant to check things out. Lossing a parent is tough. I hope you find comfort knowing that the grief and great loss you feel is a reflection of the gift of the love you were blessed to share with your dad. Great people come in and out of life and bless us with what they leave behind! You and your family will be in our prayers.
Darin and Janet Vorwald says
Mike and family,we are sorry to hear about your loss ,prayers will be sent your way.
Jeff Smith says
We are very sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts through this difficult time.
Mary Beth Frideres says
So sorry, Kaaren, to hear about Ray. He was such a good guy and you were such a good team. You were very lucky to have each other. Please let me know if you need anything. You are a good friend and my heart goes out to you.
Harry and Diana Goodwin says
Kaaren, Mike, Lisa and Families, you will be in our thoughts during this difficult time. Ray will be missed by all who knew him. I will remember his teasing and smile when I would meet him at the mailbox. I hope knowing that he is no longer in pain eases your pain and comforts you.
Arnold Rizor says
I’m so sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. I was part of the large extended family in Guernsey when we were young & I have great respect for the man he became. I extend my sympathy and best wishes to his family. He was truly a good man.
Conan Donnelly says
Kaaren, Mike, and Lisa,
I was very sorry to here of Rays passing. I will remember his stories and his smile. I am grateful for the oportunities he gave me early in my career. He had many qualities that I try to emulate now that I am a supervisor, especially how he cared for and supported his employees.
Diana Swenson & family says
Dear Kaaren and Family,
We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Ray was such a kind and friendly man and I have such fond memories of him during my time in Ashland. Love and hugs to you all.
Sheila Henderson says
Kaaren,, Mike, Lisa and families,
We are thinking of you and hope that even though you are sad, you find something each day to make you smile.
Much love to you all,
Sheila, Dave, Ian, Claire, Brian and Stella
Cathy Byron says
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, Kaaren. Even though we are relieved to see the suffering end for them, there is the unfilled void they leave behind. May the rich memories of your years together fill your days ahead with healing. Blessings to you and yours.
Pat Smith says
Ray’s family, Sorry for your loss, Ray will be missed by all who knew him, I don’t think he ever met a stranger. I will always have fond memories of the beautiful dog you gave us. Pat
Russe j. Kelly says
I worked with Ray in 1977&78 at TexasCanyon. Great guy treated me like a brother.