Raymond Louis Gardner, Jr

Ocean Park resident Raymond L. Gardner Jr., 87, died September 19, 2008 in Ilwaco. The son of Raymond L. Gardner Sr. and wife Louise Offutt, Ray was born in Kent, Washington on July 11, 1921. The family later moved to Yakima, Washington where Ray graduated from Yakima High School in 1940. Eleven days after his 19th birthday, Ray enlisted in the United States Navy. For the ensuing 6 years he served as a radioman first class aboard the USS Boise which was home based in San Diego, California. Ray was so proficient at Morse code that his handle was "jitters". Ray earned 10 medals and was honorably discharged in July 1946. Following the war Ray settled in Sunnyside, Washington. There in 1947 he married Helen May. Ray became plant accountant for James River Corp. in Sunnyside until retirement. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Yakima and served on the Sunnyside city council for 14 years. In 1991 Ray and Helen moved to Surfside. There Ray served as president of the homeowner's association for 2 years. He was also active in the Lions, American Legion, Elks, Moose and Eagles. In his spare time he enjoyed golf, reading and fishing. Besides his wife of 61 years, Ray is survived by son Dolan Gardner of Ocean Park; brothers Joe Gardner of Fairhope, Alabama and Mac Gardner of Yakima; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and 15 nieces and nephews. No formal service is planned at this time. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.