Raymond Kenneth Toole, 74

Raymond Kenneth Toole, 74, passed away May 6, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

He was born on Sept. 10, 1937, to Clark B. and Helen L. Toole. Ray grew up in Montana in his early years, then moved with his family to California to finish his education.

In 1954, at the age of 17, Ray joined the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at Sanford Naval Air Station in Florida. While in Florida, Ray met Gail (Smith) Toole and they married in 1957. Ray was excited to show his new wife California. They traveled to California on their honeymoon and even enjoyed going through the Lake Tahoe area. Ray and Gail started their lives as a military couple, traveling to many different states.

While stationed in California in 1960, their first born son Brian arrived, followed by their second son Michael in 1963. In 1965 Ray and his young family were relocated to Hawaii at the start of the Vietnam War. Ray was deployed to the Philippines. During this deployment to Vietnam, Ray was awarded the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement while serving with Patrol Squadron 28 over North Vietnam.

In 1966, the family returned to California where Ray was stationed at NAS Moffett Field for the next seven years. During this time Ray’s third son Kenneth was born, in April of 1971. After a traumatic air traffic accident in 1973 at Moffett Field that claimed the lives of fellow Naval crewmen, Ray decided to retire from the Navy, concluding 20 years of service.

Following his dream, Ray moved his family back to Montana finding employment in the newly opened Plum Creek MDF Plant in 1975. Ray and Gail raised their boys together in the Flathead Valley, enjoying camping, boating, car races and golfing, before Ray and Gail separated in 1990. After working various jobs in the valley, Ray became a snowbird, traveling to Arizona for the winters.

Ray was an avid pool player, often competing in tournaments. Ray thoroughly loved his time back in Montana with his longtime friends, enjoying fishing and camping in the Montana outdoors. Numerous friends remember having fun with Ray at the Dam Town Tavern and the Deer Lick Saloon. Ray contributed to many charities. His three sons remember camping trips and long, spirited debates with their dad.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, and infant grandson, Zack.

He is survived by son, Brian, and wife, Sherry, of Columbia Falls; son, Mike, and wife, Christy, of Missoula; son, Ken, and wife, Patricia, of Seattle, brother, Russ Howell, of Columbia Falls; brother, Rick, and wife, Rosemary Toole, of San Jose, Calif.; sister, Linda, and Dewey Upton, of Sacramento, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and one “Haileygirl.”

Memorial contributions can be made in Ray’s name to Canyon QRU, P.O. Box 162, West Glacier MT 59936.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 14, at Columbia Mortuary, Columbia Falls.

Columbia Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements. You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Raymond’s tribute wall.