HARPER, Raymond E. Ray passed away on November 19, 2016 at his home in Elk, WA with family at his side. Ray was born on May 10, 1923 to parents William and Ellen Harper in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Soon afterwards the family returned to Butte, MT, which Ray would identify as his hometown. Growing up in Butte defined Ray's early life, as he often credited his mother's perseverance as a small store owner and his dying father's insistence that he "keep out of the mines" for his success in life. Soon after graduating from Butte High School, Ray was the first member of his family to receive a post-secondary education when he joined the cadet program at the University of Montana in 1943. He proudly served his country in WWII as a C-47 pilot, dropping paratroopers behind enemy lines across the Western Front. During that time, Ray flew 87 successful sortees including several in coordination with the D-Day invasion and the eventual liberation of concentration camps. At war's end, he took great pleasure in the novelty of flying young men away from harm's way returning them to American soil in Miami, FL. Upon returning, Ray called his high-school sweetheart, Bernice Murphy, to join him in Miami where they were married September 7, 1945. They returned to their home in Butte, Montana to begin their family that would come to define their lives. In 1953, Ray and Bernice moved to Spokane, WA where Ray and his brother-in-law, Les McMahon, started Northwest Dental Supply serving Washington, Idaho and Montana. In 1958, Ray and his longtime friend, Ray Garland started a small carpet and flooring store, Garland Harper. With Ray's positive approach and the hard work of family and friends, Garland Harper flourished for three decades. As an avid hunter and fly fisherman, Ray explored all parts of Montana, Idaho, Washington, as well as the San Juan Islands, Canada and Alaska. He enjoyed flying his private plane, especially when it involved taking his family on great adventures throughout North America. Later in life, Ray took up snow skiing and became a staunch advocate of the sport. Retiring in the early 1980s, Ray wanted to try his hand at cattle ranching and farming. This new found interest and his love of the outdoors led him to purchase 160 acres of land just North of Elk, WA. After designing and building a home on the property, he and his wife moved his mother and stepfather to the "ranch." Ray enjoyed his new role as an active farmer and rancher for the next several years and the "ranch" served as a playground for his grandchildren who learned to hunt and fish on the property. His final "big project' was to build a 28 ft boat for one last trip to the San Juans with his grandkids. The boat was near completion when then Ray's 88-year-old body finally began to show signs of its age. Deflecting praise for the accomplishment, Ray would dismiss the venture as merely his "game of golf." Ray is survived by his wife of 72 years, Bernice Harper, his daughter Janis (Clark) Battan; son Wade (Barbara VanVeen) Harper; grandsons: Paul Warden, Scott Warden, Will Harper and Van Harper; great-granddaughters, Amelie and Sasha Warden and Martha Lee Smith, his cousin. Ray is preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, Doris McMahon, and stepfather, Al Harper. Ray in his last year was filled with gratitude for the life he lead and shared with his family and often reminded his wife, Bernice what a marvelous life they had together. He loved to laugh, he loved children, and he remained strong in his final years even when his pain was seemingly un-bearable. Having led an active life well into his 80s, as well as outliving many friends and family, Ray's final years brought new challenges. Despite that, Ray never wanted anyone to feel sorry for him. "I'm fine kiddo. We had a great Life," he would say with a smile, never failing to remind us that "getting old ain't for sissies." Memorial Service is Friday, November 25, 2016 at 1:30 pm in the chapel at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Raymond's name to: George Grant Trout Unlimited Chapter, PO Box 563, Butte, MT 59703. 406-491-4255