Raymond J. Provo

Raymond J. Provo, 82, died September 19, 2011 in Ilwaco. Ray was born in South Bend on January 17, 1929, the son of Raymond John and Jessie (Rankine) Provo. He spent his formative years in the logging camps of his father in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. Ray married Jeanette Arlene Paulsen on January 17, 1950 in Des Moines, Iowa. Following a tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force he returned to the Long Beach Peninsula where he launched boats on his father's property at Derbyville and also worked as a technical writer and engineer on various government contracts in multiple states. During this time he and Jeanette's family grew to 10 children. In 1969 he completed his B.A. degree and teaching credentials at the University of San Diego in California and began his teaching career. In 1972 he was offered a teaching position in Ilwaco and the Provo family built their home on Bear River. Ray retired from a teaching career in Ocean Beach School District which spanned more than 30 years, during which time he also served on the coaching staff for football and track at Ilwaco High School. Ray was an active member of the Don R. Grable Post No. 48 of American Legion, was member and past president of the Ocean Beach Education Association, member and a past chairman of the Ocean Beach School Board, and a major supporter of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview. In addition he was past chairman of the Pacific County Democratic Party. Following the death of his first wife Jeanette on December 8, 2007, he married Juanita Wilson. She survives as do his ten children: Theresa Provo Tutupalli of Stockton Calif., Raymond James Provo, Bart Provo, Martin Provo of San Diego, Calif., Raymond John Provo of Newport, Monica Provo Nolan of Denton, Texas, Robert Provo, Joe Provo, Marina Provo Smith, Lauretta Provo Hazen of Ilwaco, Carol Williams of Pahrump, Nev.; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife, three grandchildren, Joshua and Jacob Hazen and Maya Tutupalli, preceded him in death. Donations in his memory may be made to His Supper Table, P.O. Box 1487 Ocean Park, WA 98640. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, 12 o'clock Noon at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview. Recitation of the Rosary will preceded the mass at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at Ilwaco Cemetery. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.