Lester Raymond Vining, Jr. was born Nov. 16, 1925, in Michigan to Lester Vining, Sr. and Laurel Vining. He went by Raymond until shortening it to Ray as a teenager.
Ray was a hard worker, a real handyman and could build or repair almost anything. Ray retired from Wolf Creek Industries where he was employed as a delivery driver hauling loads of house logs all over the state of Colorado and neighboring states. He loved being out in the woods hunting anything from squirrels to elk or the next load of firewood.
On Oct. 16, 1948, Ray married Audrey Jean Armstrong. They celebrated 64 1/2 years of married life together. They have four children: Gene Vining and wife Wendy, Stanwood, Mich.; Kay Murin and the late Frank Murin, O’Brien, Fla.; Vicki Welsh and husband Phil, Fort Lupton, Colo.; Marlene Thayer and husband Deighton, Frederick, Okla. Over the years, the family has grown to include 12 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren who were Ray’s pride and joy.
In August 1971 Ray, Audrey, Vicki and Marlene moved from Stanwood, Mich., to Pagosa Springs, where they lived for nine years before finding a happy home in Arboles, Colo. After retirement, gardening became his favorite hobby.
Ray was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1999 and put up a good fight, but in February 2006 he moved into the Pine Ridge Extended Care Home. On April 17, 2013, at the age of 87, Ray was called home to be with the Lord. His struggle came to a peaceful end with Audrey at his side.
A memorial service will be held at the Allison Community Presbyterian Church in Allison, Colo., on Saturday, April 27, at 11 a.m.
