Art F. 'Bubba' Ray, 40

Art F. “Bubba” Ray passed away Monday, June 2, 2014, at Hospice at the Chaplaincy in Kennewick, Wash., after a brief battle with cancer. Bubba was 40 years old.

Bubba was born Aug. 26, 1973 in Conrad. He lived and attended school in Sunburst. He entered the Anaconda Job Corps in May of 1996 where he earned his GED/high school diploma and completed the heavy equipment mechanic trade training.

He loved hunting, camping, boating, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

He spent many years living in Kalispell where he worked in various capacities, including Plum Creek, Semitool, the Blue Moon as a bouncer, and as a wildlands firefighter. After living in the Spokane Valley, Wash., for a short time he relocated to Tucson, Ariz., where he worked as a heavy equipment operator until he was severely injured in a motor vehicle accident, after which he returned to Washington State.

Bubba is survived by his three wonderful children, Madison, Katelyn and Dylan; mother, Joyce, and Ron Bair; sister, Melissa, and Erik Kulbeck; nephew, James Lyle; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Bubba's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell.

A memorial page has been created at www.lifetributescenter.com.