Dec. 16, 1930 - Aug. 7, 2009

Raymond Ward Downing Jr., 78, passed away Aug. 7 unexpectedly at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. By his bedside were his wife, Nadine, and his daughters.

Raymond was born in Lebanon. At age 16, Ray started a logging career as a high-climber logger. This career took him from Oregon to Washington and Costa Rica in Central America. For four years he detoured from the logging industry to live in Las Vegas, Nev., and worked at the atomic test site before returning to his passion, logging.

As a log broker, he purchased and sold timber for log homes. This led him to his patent for an inter-lock method for building log homes.

A 20-year resident of Montana, Ray has lived the past 10 years at Dickey Lake in Trego, Mont. His years in Montana had brought him happy times and many great friends. Ray was a pilot, fisherman and enjoyed Sunday mornings at Jerry's in Fortine, Mont., playing golf.

Ray was a Korean War veteran.

On Dec. 30, 1961, Ray married Nadine Richards of Lebanon in Reno, Nev.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond W. Downing Sr., and Nettie McQuire Downing.

Ray is survived by his wife, Nadine; four daughters, Gayle and Bret Combs of Cheyenne, Wyo., Debra and Keith Lilly of Ozark, Mo., Carrie K. Downing of Seattle, Wash., and Diane and Brett Robinson of Hayden, Idaho; sister-in-law Nina Downing of Mossy Rock, Wash; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two nieces; and one nephew.

For 78 years, Ray lived a full life just the way he wanted to.

Memorial services are pending. The family asks in lieu of flowers, please send donations to your favorite charity in his memory.