Raymond Gillespie

Ray Gillespie, 83, of Great Falls and formerly from the Medford, Oregon area, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 of a massive stroke at Benefis Healthcare.Burial of ashes will take place at a later date in Medford, Oregon. A celebration of life will held in Great Falls later this summer. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Ray was born June 19, 1933 in Morgan, Utah. He graduated from Prospect High School in Prospect, Oregon. He served in the US Army and was discharged in 1958. He worked as a logger for Plumley Inc. in Oregon and retired from the Oregon Department of Forestry.His retirement years allowed him to pursue his love of oil painting, making canvases and frames for pictures, many woodworking projects, gardening, hunting and fishing with his good buddies. He was a wonderful cook and in full control of the kitchen, as well as the yard and garage. He spent many hours watching Family Feud and re-runs of All in the Family. He appreciated the humor of Archie Bunker.Ray is survived by his daughter Sherry LouAnn Post of Medford, OR; sons Terry Dee Gillespie of Central Point, OR and Larry Lee Gillespie of Great Falls, MT; his partner Sharon Ball; brothers Bud Verl Gillespie and Don Lee Gillespie; seven grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and Sharons family.He was preceded in death by his parents, Ella Ann Spendlove and Ray Taylor Gillespie; brother Eldon J. Gillespie; his ex-wife, Betty Davidson Gillespie.