Our hero, Ray Howard Church, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 following a brief case of pneumonia surrounded by his family at the George Wahlen Veteran’s Home in Ogden, Utah.
Ray was born March 15, 1920 in Henrieville, Utah to George N. and Sarah Jane Shakespeare Church. One of twelve children, Ray’s family moved to Delta, Utah when he was three years old where he attended school and was involved in athletics. After graduation, Ray attended Dixie College and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940. He was stationed on the island of Guam when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. Three days later Guam fell to the Japanese forces and Ray was taken prisoner. He spent the next 45 months as a P.O. W. in Japan. This was truly the defining and character building experience of his life.
After several months of rehabilitation in San Diego, California, Ray returned home a decorated and honored hero. Upon his return to Delta, he met and married Marion Moody on July 26, 1946 in the Manti LDS Temple. Their love and their life together was a light and example to all who knew them. Ray and Marion moved to California in 1953 where he spent the next forty years in the banking industry. Ray was also extremely involved in community and civic organizations where he served as President of the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Associated Chamber of Commerce for the San Fernando Valley, Chairman of the Draft Board during the Vietnam War and served on several advisory boards for the city of Los Angeles. He received many awards and citations from city, state and federal governments for his service.
After raising their family and retirement, Ray and Marion moved to Ogden, Utah in February 1991. Always strong and active in the LDS church, Ray has served in three bishoprics, three high councils, as High Priest Group Leader and as a Stake Missionary. He and Marion served a full time temple mission in Chicago, Illinois. They also shared nine years as temple ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple, and a three year service mission as hosts at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City.
Ray loved to read, play golf, play Rook and just PLAY, but his greatest joy was in spending time with his family. Ray is survived by his loving wife Marion, who faithfully served him to the end, their three children: Susan (Robert) Daum of Wilmington, Delaware and Ogden, Utah; Carolyn (James E.) Smith of Farmington, Utah; and Michael Ray (Linda) Church of Ogden, Utah. They are also survived by 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, all of whom adore Grandpa Church; brother: Ned Church; sisters: Margaret Callister, Sarah Finlinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in law: Brian C. Davis, and one great-grandchild.
Special thanks to the staff of the George Wahlen Veterans Home, especially those in the D-Wing, for their exceptional and personal care of Ray. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends that donations be made to the General Missionary Fund of the LDS Church. We can hardly wait to see you again, Grandpa! We love you!
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Washington Terrace LDS Chapel located at 4855 S. 300 W., Washington Terrace, Utah. A viewing will precede the services from 9:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. An additional viewing will be held Tuesday, January 22, at 10:00 a.m., at the Nickle Mortuary in Delta, Utah, 190 S. Center St. Burial will follow at Delta City Cemetery.