Raymond D. ‘Ray’ Sheldon, age 86, of Helena

Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

1. Jay Ramlo says

   November 9, 2013 at 3:23 pm

   Ray was a huge presence in my life. When I first moved to Helena I worked for Ray as a partime person. It was through Ray that I met my late wife. We had many good times together and due to his influence I became a better person.

2. Boyd Family says

   November 9, 2013 at 8:53 pm

   We love you always and miss you deeply Great Grandpa/ Grandpa! All our love, Mike, Jody, Nicholas and Matthew

3. Micki Gonzalez says

   November 9, 2013 at 9:46 pm

   My Father, My Friend, My Hero. My memories give me the stringht to go on with out you. My love will never fade. I will miss you for the rest of my life. I was Blessed to have you as My Father!

4. Jeremy Smith says

   November 11, 2013 at 9:48 am

   Ray was my grandfather. I have many fond memories of him. Most of my childhood life, he lived in Clinton, MT., where he and my grandmother, Dorothy, had a little farm with some cows and chickens. He would take me for walks to the Clark Fork River where from time to time we would try to catch some fish. He taught me to never touch an electric fence without rubber boots on and to never select a chicken (for dinner) without knowing exactly what I was selecting a chicken for. Did you know that Ray was an amateur bronc rider? I remember they had a horse where he tried to get on it on the dirt road in front of there house in Clinton. The horse began to try and buck him off. He held on. It was not very funny at the time. When it was all said and done, everyone thought it was funny. Ray spent many days on the road as a truck driver. Occasionally, he would show up at my house with the semi parked out front. I felt like the luckiest kid to have a “real life 18 wheeler” in front of my house. Grandpa Ray gave me the opportunity of a life time. I was no more then 8 years old and he took me with him on one of his deliveries to Portland, Oregon. Getting the opportunity to go “trucking” with him was one of the coolest things that a child would get the opportunity to do. I’ve been told that when we were on the” ride of a life time”, we stopped to get a bite to eat. He asked me what I wanted. I told him, “I’m o.k., I didn’t bring any money. He laughed at me and told me he was paying. I ordered a milkshake and said, “I was good.” During this drive, I was stung by a bee where I had an allergic reaction. Grandpa Ray pushed the limits on this drive and returned me back to Clinton in record time. I don’t think I ever truly thanked him for that “drive of a lifetime.” Thank You Grandpa Ray! He had a picture hanging at his house of him and his boot camp company. He served in the United States Navy during World War 2. I was always fascinated by this picture. My grandmother would tell me of the story about how many of the men beside him had been killed at sea. At the time, I did not understand the magnitude of this event. During World War 2, he was sent to his ship for an assignment of duty. During a physical screening, it was believed that he possibly was coming down with a symptom that would not allow him to go with the rest of his shipmates. He was disappointed and was not able to go. This ship was the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) the Indianapolis was the ship that delivered parts for the atomic bomb that eventually came to the surrendering of Japan. On its return, the Indianapolis was sunk by Japanese submarine. Only 317, of the 1,196 sailors survived. Fortunately, we would take this as fate and that we all had the opportunity to have a piece of memory of Ray in our lives. He would have seen it differently. I believe that he felt a little guilt that he was not with his shipmates on that day. He was a great man. He will be missed. Thank you Grandpa Ray for everything that you have done, and for the great stories that I have in my life because of you. On behalf of the Smith family, You will be missed.

5. Tara Ferriter-Smith says

   November 11, 2013 at 1:51 pm

   We will miss our beloved Grandpa Ray. He was such a wonderful, caring man who would do anything to help anyone. I will miss his charm and his ability to make me smile. Ruby Lee I’m so sorry for the loss of your companion and friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

6. Jeremy,Rhonda,John,Ty,and Bret says

   November 13, 2013 at 6:19 pm

   Grandpa Ray and Great Grandpa,
   You will be missed and the memories we shared will be cherished.
   May you rest in peace
   Love Always,
   Jeremy,Rhonda,John,Ty,and Bret