Raymond A. Wales died at his Gig Harbor home on December 16, 2022. Raymond was 96 years old. Raymond was born on May 25,1926, in Enumclaw, WA to Martha and Willard Wales. The Wales family had three children, Raymond, Faye (Durness), and Lois (Hyland). The family
together faced the many challenges of the Depression era. They moved to where father Willard could find work as a mechanic and Raymond, often, at any age, was expected to assist his father. To supplement their income, the family raised and sold both chickens and rabbits at the Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Raymond's family moved to Brinnon, WA when he was very young so that his father could serve as a mechanic for a logging
company. However, for the majority of his life, Raymond's family lived in the south Seattle area. Raymond graduated from Highline High School and was a proud "Pirate". Ray's childhood was shaped by the adventures of a country in great economic hardship and involvement in World War II. His family did not always have an easy path. Clearly, Raymond developed his work ethic and pursuit of the American Dream as a result of his childhood experiences.

Raymond started his work life as a member of the Kress Drug Store chain. He worked initially in Seattle, Bremerton and Yakima. In 1950 Raymond enlisted in the Army and went to Boot Camp in California. He was discharged in October 1952 and returned home to Seattle for a quick, two week visit before heading to Fresno, California to resume his career with Kress.

Grandma Wales had been in the Group Health Hospital just before Raymond returned to Seattle and had met a nurse who (she knew) was the perfect match for her son. Asking Raymond to accompany her to a follow up appointment at the hospital, Grandma introduced him to Luella Ellingsen, a newly capped Registered Nurse. The two dated just a couple of times in the two weeks before Raymond moved to Fresno and exchanged letters for the next few months. In December 1952, Luella moved to Fresno and they were married on December 29, 1952. Their first daughter, Joan, was born in Fresno in November 1953. Raymond and Luella were married for almost 65 years.

Ray and Luella moved from California back to Washington in early 1955 and established their home in Burien, Washington. Ray began his career with Boeing and Lue continued her RN career at area hospitals. The family grew by two, Jim (August 1955) and Kathy (January 1957). Looking for a rural area to build a home for their growing family, they purchased land east of Kent. They built the first of three homes in what was then a rural community. Luella would work on the weekends while Ray would haul the three children to the house he was building for his family. Lue loved telling the story of how Jim helped his father to keep the house warm by throwing a big bundle of insulation paper into the living room fireplace. When the paper jumped out of the fireplace and threatened to burn down the new house, Joan ran to warn her dad. He quickly brought a hose and doused the fire. The hearth still shows the ash stains.

The Wales Family moved into the Kent, Derbyshire Neighborhood house in 1959. By this time, Raymond had been working for the Boeing Company. Raymond stayed with Boeing until his retirement in June 1988. The Wales family made long-lasting relationships with all the neighbors, especially the Nielsens, McCauleys, Hoopers, Berges and Burns. The neighborhood children and all of Joan, Jim and Kathy's friends were welcome in the home. Raymond was known as a hard worker. He continually found ways to supplement the family income. He purchased and remodeled several houses that became rentals. Raymond loved the process of building and remodeling. He also started a Christmas Tree farm in the late 1970's. Ray would advertise only to family and friends and to fellow Boeing workers. Raymond raised Noble Fir and Norwegian Spruce trees.

Just prior to retiring, Raymond and Luella purchased waterfront property in Olalla, WA, so that Luella could keep an eye on Vashon Island. Luella grew up on Vashon and Ray looked for opportunities to make Luella happy. Raymond, as always, was the primary contractor and finished the house prior to 1990. They enjoyed living in the small community of Prospect Point and created wonderful relationships with their neighbors. Ray and Luella always hosted wonderful spring and summer parties for family and friends. They also created a beautiful vegetable garden and enjoyed sharing the bounty with their neighbors.

Eventually, Raymond and Luella bought a home in Gig Harbor in 2000 to be closer to services and family. They continued to host family gatherings and they again grew to love their neighbors.

Ray took over the gardening once they moved to Gig Harbor. He enjoyed growing tomatoes most of all. But, his garden always had a variety of vegetables including peas, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, dahlias and more tomatoes! Again, Raymond enjoyed sharing his vegetables with neighbors and family. He had a bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumber and beans during the summer of 2022.

Always interested in construction and home projects, in Ray's later years he enjoyed hearing about the house projects undertaken by his children. He loved to give advice and appreciated it when his kids shared how they used the skills he had taught them!

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Luella, his parents and two sisters; Raymond is survived by daughter Joan Lightle (Steve); James Wales (Debbie), Kathy Wales (Shannon Lowrie), and grandchildren, Josiah (Kelly), Laura, and Michael (Shay). Raymond also has three great grandchildren, Kateyln, Natalie, and Myla.