Jan. 10, 1918 - Oct. 31, 2013 'Born to Fish' Raymond P. Mueller, or 'Pops' as his boys called him, passed away October 31, 2013 at the age of 95 surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on January 10, 1918 in Ortonville, Minnesota to Clarence and Esther Mueller. He graduated from Ortonville High School and went on to serve in the National Guard. Ray served in the army during World War 2. With his German heritage, he was asked to work in the prisoner of war camps with the German prisoners. He remained an active member of the American Legion for 67 years. In 1940 he traveled to Washington with his best friend since 3rd grade, Paul Weeding. He then met and married his beautiful bride of 47 years, Minnie Melvina Whitaker or "Torchie". Together Ray and Minnie raised five boys, Terry, Gerald, Ron, Ray and Ed. The boys learned to have a sense of adventure and love for the outdoors. Weekends and Summer vacations were spent camping, fishing and hunting in Eastern Washington with their dog "Spikel Farkle". Every place they went Ray had a secret fishing hole just for them. After 10 years as a car salesman with Hopper Chevrolet in Edmonds and 30 years as a Union Glazier, Ray retired at the age of 55. He and Torchie sold their family home in Bellevue, packed up the fifth wheel trailer and traveled all over the US. When they got lonesome for family, you could usually find them parked at one of the kids' homes or even in Palm Springs. Ray loved to fish and could always be found with a fishing pole in his hand at one of our local lakes. He and Torchie made a yearly trip to Reno where he loved to gamble. In later years you could find him running a Thursday night poker game at Merrill Gardens. After Torchie passed away in 1987, Ray met Ruth Miller and they were married in Reno in 1999 until his death. Ray's life was truly an adventure and he made lifelong friends wherever he went. One of his grandchildren said it best "My Grandpa is someone I greatly admire for many reasons. One, because he is taking advantage of every opportunity life has to offer. Second, because he still acts like a teenager, full of life and enthusiasm. He's taught me to take advantage of life because it's only given to you once. I feel very fortunate to have known someone like him! And even though he drives 20 mph in a 40 mph zone, I wouldn't trade him for anyone in the whole world!' Ray is survived by his sister, Agnes (Jeri) Hutchinson of Marysville; second wife, Ruth; and three sons, Gerald, Ray and Ed, all from Camano Island. He has also left behind numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren to carry on the Mueller name and continue to tell the infamous stores of the life of Ray P. Mueller. He was preceded in death by his wife Minnie and two sons, Terry and Ron. The family would like to thank Merrill Gardens and Josephine Sunset Home for all their kindness and support during Ray's final days. We will be doing a private memorial with just his family to scatter his ashes over Puget Sound. He will be greatly missed everyday of our lives.
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