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Raymond Lee
Abbott View Guestbook Keepsake Page Birth: 6/13/1933 Death: 3/6/2006 Interred: |
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Visitation Information: Obituary: RAYMOND LEE ABBOTT Raymond Lee Abbott tangoed into Heaven on March 6, 2006. He was born in Olympia, WA, on June 13, 1933. His family moved to Anacortes, WA when he was about six, where he remained until graduating from Anacortes High School in 1951. He entered the Air Force in 1953 for a four-year tour of duty, where he traveled extensively, piquing his life-long fascination with both aircraft and history. He married Jane Shults Abbott in 1960, a banner year in which they also welcomed their beloved daughter, Ramona. After living in Seattle for a year, they moved to Olympia, where Ray worked for Bracey & Thomas. They moved to Alaska in 1964, living in both Juneau and Anchorage. In the spirit of adventure, the return trip from Alaska involved a pup tent, two adults, six-year-old Ramona, a cat, and a mynah bird. (Stop and think about that for a minute…no one could ever call Ray faint of heart!) Returning to Olympia in 1968, they lived at Lake St. Clair, and then Mud Bay. Ray resumed work at Bracey & Thomas, and they lived a traditional family life, close to the earth. They grew their own vegetables; ground their own flour, living like pioneers in many respects. Ray was a vehement opponent of television and Madison Avenue, and their life reflected these values. Ray and Jane were divorced in 1975, but remained amicable. He was married a second time in the early eighties to Carol Abbott. The marriage did not last, but a friendship did. Ray deeply valued keeping in contact with and on good terms with the women in his life. He was also committed to attending any and all ceremonial occasions of his loved ones, regardless of convenience. One banner weekend, he attended an evening high school graduation in Anacortes, drove through the night to make a nine a.m. college graduation in Ellensberg, then returned that same evening to Centralia for a dance event. During the ‘80’s, Ray became involved in the Jolly Jesters, an acting troupe in Shelton, WA, and participated in many plays, where his natural dramatic talents were enjoyed by many. He also became involved in what was to become a life-long passion, ballroom dancing. He was an avid dancer for as long as he was able. And it was dancing that gave him his last most precious gift, wife Betty Berry Abbott. They married on November 26, 1999. Not only did Betty bring great love to Ray’s life, her four daughters brought him grandchildren, a tremendous joy. They called him “Grampi,” and loved him intensely. Another informal grandchild was Ramona’s Little Sister, Ming. Ray loved animals as much as people. Every time he went hunting (ostensibly for deer), he would return with at least one cat. No stray went unfed on his watch. His final three cats, Gene (Kelly), Fred (Astaire) and Ginger (Rogers), were so named melding his two great passions. Ray also belonged to the Lacey Mid-Day Lions, where he was honored as Lion of the Year in 2004-5. His tireless efforts serving coffee at freeway rest stops during the wee hours, even when he was very ill, will be remembered by many. He is survived by wife Betty Berry Abbott; daughter Ramona Abbott and husband Ken Kutner; and an extensive network of family including: Brother Harlan and wife Joan, nephews Wayne Abbott and his children, Robin, Kevin and Kristin, niece Margie Schreiner, husband Alex and her sons Alex & Tim and nephew Dave Abbott, wife Barb, and their sons William & Marcus. And last but certainly not least, his most beloved cousin Diane Goracke, her husband Terry and son Troy, upon whom Ray doted. But wait – there are more; Ray was loved by so very many. He is also survived and deeply missed by step-daughters Kris Ansotigue, husband John, and daughters Danielle, Staci, and Kendra; Patty Lingle and daughters Sarah Stalcup, her husband Bob, and Melissa and Krista Lingle; Tommi Robison and daughter Gracie; and Paula Rosencrans and son Jeremy. Ray Abbott valued character and honor, and at his best, exemplified both. He fought an incredible battle against multiple cancers over the years, and truly died with grace and integrity. Those who loved him can be comforted knowing that Ray’s dance card in Heaven is surely full. View Guestbook Keepsake Page |
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