Roland Raymond “Ray” Dinning, 77

Roland Raymond “Ray” Dinning, 77, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 10, 2009, at his home in Bonners Ferry.

Funeral services were held May 15 at Free Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry. Interment followed at Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry.

Ray was born Feb. 15, 1932, to Roland “Rod” and Mary Walker Dinning in Hugo, Colo. Ray was the fourth son of eight children.

In 1937, during the Dust Bowl era, the family along with Mary’s father moved to Porthill. Ray attended grade school near Porthill and high school in Bonners Ferry.

After high school, he enlisted in the Navy, served as a hospital corpsman and finished his tour in the National Guard.

Ray and his brother, Irvin, went to hair style school and then established a beauty salon, where Ray’s daughter, Linda, now has her salon.

Ray met the former Carolyn Hanson at a Copeland dance. She later became his wife of 51 years.

Ray decided when he was about to be a father, his sons would be embarrassed by his occupation. He worked for Gene’s OK Tire for 15 years and then for JB’s Tire/Les Schwab Tire until retiring in 2000 at age 68.

Ray and Carolyn’s family attended First Baptist Church for nearly 40 years, where he served as song leader, deacon and Sunday school teacher. His great joy was sharing his faith and leading his men’s class.

Ray had a big smile and a great sense of humor; he loved hunting, fishing and telling stories with his brothers and later with his son-in-laws and grandsons.

Ray fought a courageous battle with lung disease and was greatly loved and will be missed.

Ray is survived by his wife; daughters Rita (Tom) Basler, Marlene (Adrian) Wages, Linda Dinning and Wendy (Chester) White; grandchildren Aaron Wages, Jamie (Tim) Fulton, Travis (Dannielle) Wages, Mathew White, Whitney White and Auby Basler; great-grandchildren Ally, Timmy and Hunter Fulton; brothers Gifford (Lura) Dinning and LaVern (Eunice) Dinning; sister Mary Ula (Bud) Shaller; sister-in-laws Evelyn, Bobby and Donna Dinning; and many nephews and nieces.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Leighton, Irvin and Ken; and sister Beula Lyle and her husband, Lowel.

The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice.

Family and friends may sign Ray’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.