Ray E. Blacksher was born to Oliver and Mamie Blacksher on June 14, 1921 in Gainesville, Missouri and he went to shake the hand of God on February 26, 2009 in Mount Vernon, Washington.
He served with the US Army Air Force in WWII in Air Offensive Europe after joining the military in August of 1942. After his honorable discharge in November of 1945, he met the love of his life Rita Mary Hansen.
They were united in marriage September 28, 1949 in Bellingham, Washington. They made their home and started their family in beautiful Big Lake where Rita had been raised and where they lived for several years before moving to Sedro-Woolley. Ray was employed at Skagit Steel where he built shell casings.
He enjoyed everything that involved the love’s of his life; his family. When he was growing up in Missouri, he enjoyed farming and had a great interest in horses. He shared his passion for farming and animals with his children. He also enjoyed fishing, mechanics, playing checkers, and playing his harmonica. Ray laughed often and expressed sayings such as ‘Keep Your Chin Up!’ and asked ‘Whats the Good News” and when he asked ‘How Are You” he really wanted to know.
Ray is survived by his loving wife Rita of Sedro-Woolley. His children, John Blacksher of Medford, OR, Sheri Cochran and husband Lanny of Sedro-Woolley, Rose Hayes and husband Raymond of Sedro-Woolley, Gloria Sancrant and husband Michael of Concrete, Carol Cates of Sedro-Woolley, Lily Blackburn and husband Christopher of Bow, Leonard Blacksher of Sedro-Woolley, Mary Lou Jones and husband Doug of Sedro-Woolley, David Blacksher of Sedro-Woolley, and Larry Blacksher and wife Angela of Lyman. Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Mamie Blacksher of MO, sisters, Ella Weimer of MO and Velma Lee Whalen of MO and a brother, Raymond Blacksher of Kansas City, KS.
Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, we love and miss your greatly. God Bless You!
Ray’s family would like to thank those who cared for him with compassion- Dr. Fish, the nurses at Skagit Valley Hospital, those at the Life Care Center of Mount Vernon, and all of the EMT’s.
Graveside Services will be Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 2:00PM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor Jim Cannon of Bethel Assembly of God Church officiating and military honors performed by members of the US Army National Guard-Bellingham.
Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.