Ray J. Christensen’s obituary
November 27, 1930 ~ April 20, 2023 (age 92)
Ray J. Christensen was born on November 27, 1930, to James Vestal and Christie Edith Empey Christensen on the night of a horrific blizzard in Jameston, Idaho. As the doctor came for the birth, he got stuck in the snow so Ray’s father hooked up his team of horses and pulled him out so he could deliver his new son. Ray was welcomed by his older brother Jack and sister Mary and later he welcomed three siblings to the family Helen, Phil, and Danny.
Ray attended Taylor School where he was a good student and excelled in English. After 8th grade he went to Shelley High School where he graduated in 1948, and yes, it is true, he had to run a half mile to get to the school bus. The Korean War erupted in 1950 and Ray was drafted into the Army to a landing craft based in Panama. Later he was sent to Fort Lewis, in Seattle Washington.
When Ray returned from duty he worked on his parents ranch. He met Nina Barney at a community dance in Ririe, Idaho, and knew immediately she would make him a better man. On June 3, 1955, they were married in Taylor and in 1957 started their family of five children, Cristie Ann (Doug), Kathy Sue (Doug), Nina Maria (Ron), Kenneth Ray, and Cindy (Tom). Together they built a successful farm and ranching business in Bancroft, Roberts, and Shelley, Idaho. In 1971, Ray was president of the Caribou County Farm Bureau.
Ray loved the hills and his house in Bone where he spent his summers gardening, fencing, riding horses, and then ATV. Later Ray and Nina purchased a home in Gold Canyon, Arizona, where he loved to spend the winters enjoying the sun and warmth.
Ray and Nina were married 67 years and on December 16, 2021, were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Ray suffered the last few years of his life but was cared for and comforted by the endless compassion of Nina and the amazing Morning Star Assisted Living and Enhabit Home Health staff. The family is very grateful for their loving and compassionate care of Ray.
Ray is proceeded in death by his parents, brother (Danny) and granddaughter, (Candi Ray Christensen).
A viewing will be held at Woods Chapel of the Pines, 273 N. Ridge Ave., Idaho Falls, on Friday, April 28, 2023, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 12:00 Noon at the Shelley South Stake Center, 675 S. Milton Ave., Shelley. Family viewing and family prayer will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Interment will be held at the Taylor Cemetery directly after the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, please send your donation to: Never Say Never Foundation in Kenyson Bird’s name (daughter of deceased Candi Ray Christensen). https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3LSYJRXLRGNQC
Services can be viewed live at: https://www.shelleysouthstake.org/wards/mountain-view/ Instructions: click on Sacrament Meeting Broadcast. Enter name and email and it will allow you into the meeting.
