Raymond Bertram Bush

Raymond B. Bush of Wenatchee, WA, passed away on June 1, 2019, at the age of 90. Ray was born on January 27, 1929, in Wenatchee to Rose and Leslie "Red" Bush. His younger years were spent in Wenatchee and the family later moved to Aberdeen, WA, where Ray lived until he was 17. The family moved back to Wenatchee and lived on Columbia Street, where he first met the love of his life, Leona "Buzz" Monnot. Ray served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman. Upon his return from the Army, he and Buzz solidified their love for each other with the intention of marriage. He worked in Kennewick, WA, for a while during their engagement, where he wrote several love letters to her, speaking of his devotion, and his anticipation of the all the children they would have. Ray and Buzz were married on December 1, 1950, and lived the first two years on a dairy farm in the Wynoochee Valley, near Montesano, WA. They moved back to Wenatchee when he got a job at the newly opened Alcoa plant. Ray worked at Alcoa for 38 years, retiring in 1992. Ray was an avid golfer, hitting a hole in one at Rock Island golf course. He also loved to bowl and spent many years bowling in leagues, and was inducted into the Wenatchee Bowling Association hall of fame in 2017. Ray was hard working during his career and played hard in his retirement. He had a kind heart, was generous to a fault, and usually gave most of any extra money away to those in need. Ray was loved by babies and dogs and most of his life, he had one or the other in his lap. He had a great sense of humor and even up until his very last days, he was cracking jokes and being witty. Even though he was more of a quiet man, he loved the sound of his big family together, laughing and enjoying life. After losing his wife, Buzz, in 2015, he struggled with such sadness for a while and lived the rest of his life with an intense longing for her. Their favorite song was, "Let me call you Sweetheart", and he would sing it to her picture most days and tell her how much he missed her. His children's greatest comfort is knowing they are together again. Ray had many friends around town and he had a special sweet spot for the ladies at Smitty's where he ate breakfast every morning at 6:00 a.m. after Buzz died. Ray's legacy is all the love he and Buzz created in their home for their family and also those who had need of support and care. Many a wayward soul would pass through their lives, fortified with the stability of their home, and their generosity. Ray will be dearly missed by those he left behind and he will never be forgotten. Ray embraced the Monnot clan and enjoyed being a part of a big loving family. Many of his in-laws became his closest friends. Ray was father to seven children: Christine (Eric) Peterson, Maria (Ernie) Valdez, Steve (Sandy), Mark (Joan), Melanie (Jeff) Schoonover, Deanna (Rich) West and Greg (Mandy); grandpa to 17 grandchildren; and he was the "Great One" to 17 greatgrandchildren. Ray was preceded in death by his wife; and parents. He leaves behind, all his children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; his sister, Ella Dillon; and his brother, Richard Gilpin. A Rosary will be held at Chapel of the Valley, 302 9th St., Wenatchee, WA, on Monday, June 10, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. A funeral of Catholic mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 625 S. Elliott Ave., Wenatchee, WA at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. A reception will follow mass at the church, with interment following at Wenatchee City Cemetery, 1804 N Western Ave., Wenatchee, WA, at 1:00 p.m. Arrangements are by Chapel of the Valley, Wenatchee, WA.

Raymond Bertram Bush

January 27, 1929 - June 1, 2019