Raymond Edison Hunter
Raymond Edison Hunter, 85, a retired Washington State University Horticultural Extension Agent for Grant and Adams Counties and a resident of Ephrata for 41 years, died at home, Friday, March 4, 2005, following an extended struggle with Parkinsons Disease.
He was born September 25,1919 to William J. and Effie (Evans) Hunter. Ray graduated from Vilonia High School in central Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He entered the Naval Reserve Officers Training program, and graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. He served two years as a Navigation Officer aboard ship in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea during WWII. A week following his honorable discharge from the Naval Reserves. he was appointed to the Arkansas Agricultural Extension Service where he remained employed for 18 1/2 years as the Chairman of the County Extension Office. During this time, he did post graduate work at the University of Arkansas, Colorado State University and Arizona State University.
He was married to Ruby Gayle Kirby of Magnum, Okla. on Feb. 13, 1945. They recently enjoyed their 60th anniversary.
In 1964 he transferred to Washington State, bringing his wife and four boys to the Columbia Basin area. While working at the Washington State Area Cooperative Extension Service, he earned a professorship in horticulture. His employment in the Columbia Basin was very challenging. Apple orchard establishment increased from 1,800 acres in 1964 to over 30,000 by 1986 and other tree fruit acreages increased. He retired from the Extension Office in Dec. 1986 after 22 years of service, with a total of 41 years of public service. During this time he started a Master Gardeners Training Program, which would provide assistance through the Cooperative Extension Office to the many local home gardeners. He was well liked and a friend to the orchardist, so upon retirement he became a consultant for nine years.
Ray learned about Jesus as a young lad and asked Him into his life and "He" always has been there. As an orchard friend once introduced him, Ray is not just a tall man but Ray is a man that "Stands Tall." Ray and his family did missions work when they came to Ephrata. The Seventh Day Adventist Church was rented for services on Sundays for military families from the Larson Air Base until it was closed in 1968. Then, they became members of the Ephrata First Baptist Church. When asked where he would like to serve he replied : — Let me be the Head Usher and Greeter. He remained at the door with a friendly smile and handshake until his health no longer allowed him this pleasure.
He and Ruby raised four boys: C. Douglas Hunter with wife Shirley, Phillip R. Hunter with wife Roni, Wyllie G. Hunter with wife Becky and Paul E. Hunter with wife Janice. They have nine grandchildren: Phillip, Josh, Matthew, Woody, Wendy, Willie, Sarah, Rebecca and Gracie. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, son Douglas and daughter in law Shirley Hunter.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m. in Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery, Soap Lake, followed the next day by commemoration services to be held on Saturday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ephrata First Baptist church, 327 C Street S.W., Ephrata with Rev. Phil Hunter and Rev. Gary Nock officiating. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.