Walter Raymond “Ray” Beecher died Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Valle Vista nursing home in Lewistown, Montana. He was born January 27, 1922, in Spokane, Washington; the son of Walter and Jeanette Beecher.
As a child, Ray moved to Sand Springs where his mother was a teacher at several country schools. He enlisted in the army in 1943 and served in Europe until the war was over.
Ray married Mary Green in Lewistown, Montana, on June 11, 1942. They had three sons, Floyd (Kay) of Billings, MT; Glen of Cohagen; and James (Karen) of Wolf Point.
After returning from the War, Ray started ranching north of Winnett. He then moved to a ranch at Brussett . From there, he moved to a ranch at Cohagen, where he lived for many years, raising sheep, cattle, and horses.
On December 1, 1972, Ray married Marjorie Chapman Hubing in Terry, MT. They continued to ranch at Cohagen until moving to their “retirement ranch” near Grass Range in 1996. There, they raised black angus cattle and quarter horses.
Ray was well respected for raising working quarter horses; especially blue roans. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Assn. for almost 50 years. Ray had a good eye for quality in horses and cattle. He took pride in the care of his livestock and the land.
Ray loved to observe wild life. He enjoyed watching them on his ranch from the window of the house or when out in the pasture. He also loved to tell a good story while drinking coffee with friends.
Ray is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marjorie, his three sons and their families. He is also survived by his three step-daughters, Diane, Sharon, and Judy of Spokane, WA, and their families. He leaves several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11:00 on Monday, June 18, 2012 at Stevenson’s Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held in the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Cemetery in Miles City with full military honors. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Grass Range Ambulance, the Jordan, MT Ambulance or the charity of one’s choice.
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Our deepset sympathy on your loss.
Helen Johnsen Holyz says
Marge, and all the family; I’m sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. As the saying goes he is riding herd in the sky now. I have many fond memories of Ray and all his stories & good times on the ranch @ Cohagen. God Bless & take of you all.
David McLendon says
I will miss you my friend. I will see you when my chores are through.
Catherine Byron says
Our thoughts are with you at this time. On a windy, snowy January night we drove the “back roads” to take my mother to the nursing home in Jordan. The highways were a glare of ice. Before leaving, I called Ray and asked how the backroad was. He said we’d make it, but that would be the last time that winter. When we returned home at 2:00 a.m. I thought for sure he’d be in bed and didn’t want to call and tell him we were back in Forsyth. I should have. At 2:30 a.m. the phone rang, and it was Ray checking to see we were home OK. That call meant the world to us.
Carol Rath Raschkow says
To Rays sons and family,
I am so sorry for your loss.. God Bless You during your time of grieving.
Lori Bernardo says
All our love to your, Marge & family. We will miss listening to Ray’s stories, and I’ll especially miss holding his hand while he talks so passionately about “the good ‘ol days.” He is God’s shepherd to heaven’s horses now.
Gloria and D.J. Milroy says
Our deepest sympathies to the Beecher families. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Shannon RN from Miles City says
So sad to hear of Ray. We always enjoyed it when he came to the clinic. We both loved horses and talked about them constantly. We will miss him. My prayers.
Mitzi Beecher says
My thoughts and prays are with you. Wish I would have got to see him and know him better but when I did see him it was sad. He can reast in peace now.
Love ya grandpa Ray
(grandaughter)
Mitzi Beecher
Mary Jo (Nerud) Lawrence says
Marge and family: I just saw Ray’s notice in the Billings Gazette. I am sorry for your loss. God’s Graces and Blessings to Each of You during this time. He is resting in peace with God’s love.
Kristi BEECHER says
Ray lived a long and fore filled life. he love what he did living on a ranch raising horses. My thoughts and prays are with all of this wife sons, grand kids and great grand kids.
Love you grandpa RAY
Todd Larson says
I am truly sorry to hear of Ray’s passing, as a young lad I really enjoy being around Ray. His ability to insert his cowboy humor into just about everything kept me captivated and entertained. He will be truly missed by all. My heart goes to Margorie and family, Ray was a true western icon in Cohagen.