On January 16, 1939 in a plum orchard outside of Marysville California; Raymond Garland Pritchett was born to Raymond and Dorasell (Moss) Pritchett. The family were professional fruit pickers and followed the harvest from early spring till late fall, spending the winters at the family farm in Vale Oregon.

At the age of 16 the family moved to southern California. At age 17 Ray joined the Army and spent the majority of his time serving in France. He loved touring the countryside on bike. Returning home, he married Judith Antoinette DeJarnette and had a daughter – Monica (Schulze). One night while sleeping on his parents couch a DUI driver lost control and came thru the walls of the house, trapping Ray under the rubble. Surgeries, skin grafts and therapy left him with lifelong challenges that only made him stronger and compassionate. He married Myrna Lou Kuzma and they had five children: Vickie (grandson Andrew); Gary (Jenn) (granddaughter Andrea); daughter Shelli (Dan Fox) (granddaughter Kaylee); Raymond (Lisa) (granddaughter Madyson, grandson Calvin); Mistie (Lonnie Grimm) (grandsons Lane, Garrett, Gunner). They moved to Republic, Washington where Ray worked for the City of Republic as Manager, City Maintenance and police. He then worked for Republic Vaagen Lumber Mill till the mill was sold and dismantled to go to Japan, then transferring to the Colville Mill. Leaving lumber, he was asked to work for Echo Bay Mineral in their Kettle River operations. He retired from the mine in 2010.

As “secondary jobs” he managed Ferry County Fairgrounds for 15 years, helping 4-H youth and improving the facility. He also served 25 years on the Republic Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Chief and helping train new volunteers. Not one to “do nothing”, he started driving school bus and continued his time with youth. He retired from driving in 2012 when he moved to Glenwood WI, but drove as a substitute driver for 2 school districts there. He also drove for the ambulance service. On October 20 – 2011 he married the last love of his life, MaryAnn, inheriting 3 sons (Tim, Terry Todd Jewell) and 2 daughters (Tonya and Tami). Together they wrote up a “bucket List” of all the places and things Ray wanted to do and spent the rest of their time scratching things off the list. He visited Yellowstone National Park, Black Hills of South Dakotas, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Georgia, Grand Canyon, Mohave Dessert, Custer’s Last Stand and Niagara Falls. He attended a professional baseball game, gutted and rebuilt a kitchen, went to a PRCA Rodeo, and learned stained glass work. A few of his favorite things: John Wayne, motorcycles, woodworking, glass working, reading and one of his final accomplishments was reading through the Bible 3 times and the New Testament an additional 3 times. He accepted Jesus as his Lord, Savior and friend in 2018 and was baptized in November 2020. His passion was to show others Love and compassion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Vickie, sisters Roberta and Dianne and brother Larry.

He is survived by his sister Sandra, 2 sons, 2 daughters, 3 stepsons and 2 stepdaughters, 27 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and friends from border to border of the United States. Last but not least, his soul mate MaryAnn.

Last Update: Dec 23, 2020 2:57 pm CST