Ray Crossed Over

Yesterday a great man, and a great friend went to his final workshop.  Ray was an amazing man, probably the most Amazing Kadizzle has met.  Ray could build anything.  Ray wanted a cannon, so Ray melted down the metal, built a mold, and cast a cannon.  When Ray decided to build something, he did not go to the lumber yard and buy the lumber, Ray went to the tree and cut it down.  Soon some wonderful piece of woodworking would emerge.

Ray was outspoken.  He did not suffer fools lightly. Few people did as much for the community he lived in as Ray.  For years Ray promoted his trading post by the Knife River Indian Village. The Commander, and Kadizzle went with Ray in the early stages of that project to harvest the lumber for the building.  In Ray's old truck dragging a trailer we set off for Southwest North Dakota to the logging camp ranch.  With the old cobbled buzz saw we cut the lumber and hauled it back. It was a great trip and just one of many adventures we took with Ray.  Over our kitchen sink is our memorial to Ray.  Among his many talents Ray made stained glass.  He was meticulous about picking out the colors. When we remolded out Kitchen Ray provided a stained glass accent for our kitchen.  Last night The Commander left the light on behind the stained glass and Ray's memory glowed in our little kitchen where we spent many times sitting at the table discussing the world with Ray.