Ray Jimison

GLENDIVE, MONTANA: Our Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, Ray Gene Jimison, of Glendive, Montana, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of his Savior on Monday morning, October 20, 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Glendive on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be Thursday, October 23, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Friday, October 24, 2008, from 8:00 AM to 9; 30 AM. at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive. A Rosary, Memorial Service and a Life Tribute Service will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of the Silvernale - Silha Funeral Home in Glendive, Montana. Rite of committal with military honors will be at the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive, Montana. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. On February 21, 1926, Ray Gene Jimison and his twin brother, Roy, were born in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Ray was the third son and fifth child born to Clell Henry Jimison and Edna Cecelia (Beason) Jimison. Soon after his birth, the Jimison family relocated to rural Glendive. Ray, along with his twin brother Roy, attended Rural Glendive schools. Upon relocating to Savage, Ray completed his education there. In Ray's younger days, he worked for farmers in the Savage, MT area. He then worked for Kaiser Shipyard, as an acetylene welder in Vancouver, WA prior to induction with the U. S. Army, 86th Mountain Infantry Regt. Ray entered the U. S. Army on May 25, 1944, and served in WW II. While in the Army, Ray served in Italy with the 10th Infantry Division (Mountain) 86th Mountain Infantry; as an automatic rifleman. Ray was wounded in action in Northern Italy on April 15, 1945. Ray G. Jimison, was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army on April 27, 1946. Ray married Ethel Edam on October 11, 1945 in Sidney, Montana. To this union 6 children were born. Ray and Ethel also took in a foster child for 4 years. Proud moments for Ray and Ethel included; watching their children's' activities from athletics to band and choirs concerts. Family activities, Holidays and family vacations were always a priority with Ray. Ethel preceded Ray in death on December 20, 1973. Ray worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Ft. Peck, Montana, building the Ft. Peck Dam. He and Ethel then relocated to Glendive where Ray worked for Dowell Oilfield Services, the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Northern Pacific Hospital. Ray worked for 30 years with the Dawson County High School as the Supervisor of Building & Grounds. Ray retired on April 1, 1988. Ray also drove "Activity Bus" for Dawson County High School. He watched and "side line coached" many basketball games, wrestling matches, football games and band/choir festivals. Ray enjoyed driving the Activity Bus. Some of you will remember Ray Jimison as the Umpire at the Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball games, as well as the Girls Softball games. Ray also enjoyed working as an equipment operator with Milton Hood, and his fishing trips to Canada with his fishing buddies. Ray married Olivia (Job) Barth on November 22, 1976 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. When Ray retired, he and Olivia would spend their winters in Arizona. They met up with some of Ray's cousins, and met many nice friends. Ray and Olivia enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ray was a Civic Leader in Glendive, MT; serving 2 terms on the Glendive City Council. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks and Moose Clubs. Ray was a "social" person. He always wore a smile, had a good word to say, offered a helping hand, and never gave up. His grandchildren will remember him as being an honest man who kept his promises'. Ray was preceded in death by his first wife, Ethel Jimison (December, 1973), son Allen Jimison (March, 2005), parents Clell & Edna, brothers and sisters Carl Jimison, Helen Thompson, Dorothy Petersen, twin brother Roy Jimison, Jim Jimison, Dennis Jimison and granddaughter Heather Jimison. Ray is survived by his wife, Olivia Jimison, sons Jerry (LaDonna) of Glendive, Ralph (Micki) of Havre, daughters Linda (Randy) Baldwin, Karen (Wilbur) Wallace and Paula (Clyde) Gorder all of Glendive, MT and one Step Daughter Jerilyn (Randy) Miller of Rock Springs, WY, one Foster Son Kip (Mary) Braden of Glendive, MT. Surviving Grandchildren are: DeVonna Snow, Cole (Jenny) Jimison, Tiffany (Rhett) Coon, Michaela (Wade) Murphy, Candi (Harley) Kirkegard, Brandi (Bart) Austby, Travis (Marya) Jimison, Leah (Denny) Thompson, Dane (Alita) Jacobsen, Paul (Emily) Wallace, Annie (Derek) Smith, Jason (Jill) Jimison, Kellie (Willie) Schlepp, Kyle (Ja-Neese) Jimison, Tyler Gorder, Amy (Rodney) Hodous, Step grandchildren Scott (Phyllis) Miller,Mark (Jennifer) Miller, and Jason Miller. Great Grandchildren of Ray's are Craig, Alexis, Reese, Jasmine, Taven, Ramey, Karsen, Michael, Sari, Kali, Keiton, Presley, Mason, Jersi, Jaelin, Kade, Riley, Trey, Jaenka, Jayla, Gaige, Michael, Dillon, Shaye Lynn, Quinn & Hadley. Ray is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He is survived by all of his friends at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Ray Jimison's memory are encouraged to support the Dawson County High School Education Foundation, PO Box 701, Glendive, Montana 59330 Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com Ray Jimison Tribute Video from Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home on Vimeo.

Ray Jimison

October 24, 2008

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Ray Jimison

October 24, 2008

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

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Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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