Ray was born to George and Anna McClure on October 5, 1929 at Arlington General Hospital. His parents were cooks at the Lervick Logging Camp, which was then located near Darrington. Ray's early years were spent amidst the rough and tumble men who worked in the woods. Although he was young, he remembered those days with fondness.

Just before the camp was scheduled to move South to Granite Falls, Ray's life changed suddenly when his father George died. Ray was only 7 years old. As a result, his mother was forced to seek employment in Seattle. Fearing that Seattle may not be the best place to raise a son on her own, she enlisted the help of her brother Berent Roal to assist in raising Ray on his farm in Arlington.

Ray attended the Island Crossing School (where he claimed to have walked one mile each way…even in snow) for the first three years of schooling. He went on to Arlington Middle School, and eventually to Arlington High School where he graduated in 1947. He was an accomplished athlete and was active in all sports, including baseball, football, and basketball. It was during this time when he met his high school sweetheart and best friend, Merilyn Peterson. They were married in 1950. Earlier this year they celebrated their 73rd anniversary. They raised three boys: Mark, Jeff, and Mike all of whom graduated from Arlington High School as well.

After several summers of working for Twin City Foods, and as his family was growing, Ray was offered a full-time position with the company as a clerk. Over his 39-year career with the company, he steadily rose through the ranks to become Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He felt very fortunate to travel widely in this position, including opening new markets in Japan and other Asian countries.

At 62, Ray retired from Twin City Foods, and turned his energies toward community interests. He served for 20 years on the Cascade Valley Hospital Board of Directors during an anxious time of mergers, budget cuts and expansions. He was proud to have played a role in preserving Arlington's hospital and help to chart its' sustainable future. For his community leadership he was honored by the Masonic Lodge in 2008 and the Stillaguamish Senior Center in 2016. He also served as the Grand Marshall of Arlington's 4th of July Parade in 2007.

Ray was a longstanding member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington. He also volunteered at the local food bank and still had time to organize a weekly Tuesday golf game for many, many years (rain or shine) with 15 of his favorite golfing friends.

Ray has been granted a long and fulfilling life. His kind and gentle nature was the outgrowth of a willingness to always put others first. He consistently sought to find the good in others and treat them with fairness because he saw everyone as having equal value. He was generous, a gracious host, and extremely loyal to his family and friends. You would never hear him criticize others, because he knew everyone had their own story to tell. This was the unspoken imprint on those around him: to see the good in others, to be kind, and to go about your daily life with humility. For these reasons, Ray enjoys the love and admiration of a large group of people who count themselves as his friends. He will be missed.

Ray is survived by his wife Merilyn and their three sons Mark (Janet), Jeff (Debra), and Mike (Nancy). Their grandchildren include Mallory (Mike) Arndt, Lauren (Simon) Williamson, Britta McClure (Trey Johnson), Patrick McClure, Nick McClure, and Erik McClure. Their grandson, Todd McClure, passed away in 2017.

Ray and Merilyn have also been blessed with seven great grandchildren: Grant, Grace, Macy, Chase, and Camryn Arndt as well as Edda and Ford Williamson.

We are so grateful for the people who cared for Ray during the final stages of his life including; Josephine Caring Community, Brookdale Memory Care, and Providence Hospice. Your compassion and empathy brought him great comfort in a time of need. We cannot thank you enough.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2023, 1:00 PM at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington, 615 East Highland Drive in Arlington. Donations may also be made to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church at the same address.