Ray E. Greenlaw, 83, of Heppner, passed to his rest at his home on May 8, 2017 with his loving family at his side.

He was born January 4, 1934 to Harry and Stella Greenlaw of Solon, Maine being the 13th of 14 children. He grew up in solon where at the age of sixteen he took a job at the Solon Manufacturing company.  He enjoyed letting people know he made the little wooden spoons that come with your ice cream Dixie Cups.

At the age of 19 Ray married his childhood sweetheart, Frances M. Cahill, on June 21, 1953 in Bingham, Maine.  He enlisted in the United States Marine corps on July 30, 1953 where he served two years.  He excelled in Pistol shooting where he made the east coast Marine Corps Pistol Team, being number thirteen out of one hundred men.

After his service time, he attended Main Central Institute in Pittsfield and Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland, Maine earning his Industrial Electrician Certification and at age 53 he attended Fresno City College in California getting an Associate's Degree in Electronic Technology which included computers.

Ray was a jack of all trades and moved around a lot while working in welding shops, a machine shop, Hospital Maintenance, timber falling for 20 years around the Northwest and Central California; Information Systems for ten years each in Tillamook and Heppner, Oregon.  After retiring at the age of 75, he put in a one hundred foot long retiring wall at this home.  He enjoyed working with his hands and loved his tools.

He was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church having been; deacon, safety officer, assistant treasurer and lay advisory delegate as well as holding various positions in their Pathfinder Clubs, specializing in teaching marching and drill team skills, knot-tying and lashing skills as well as camping skills.  He was a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  Preceding him were his parents, 9 sisters, 2 brothers and a grandson.

Memorial service will he held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 3 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church gym on Minor Street in Heppner.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, the American Cancer Society or Providence St. Mary Cancer Center in Walla Walla, Washington.

Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner is in care of arrangements.