Ray's Obituary

Ray Benjamin Crookston

Ray Benjamin Crookston, age 88, passed away January 9^th, 2011. He was one of six children born to Byron Frank Crookston and Emeline Allaman. He was the forth child and was born in Logan, Cache, Utah on June 29, 1922. Ray married Marvel June Sharp of Independence, Jackson, Missouri in the Logan LDS Temple on January 6, 1943.

Ray died peacefully at the home of his daughter, Kelaine Mendicino, in Midvale, Utah. She had been helping care for him due to several strokes he suffered from years earlier.

Survivors include 14 of his 16 children: Marnita Hill, Mesa,Az., Gail (Phil) Brown, Halfway, Or, Sherry (Mack) Smith, Burrville, Ut., Clark (Brenda) Crookston, Orem,Ut., Joseph Crookston, Denver, Co., Mark(Camille) Crookston, Ogden, Ut., Scott Crookston, Las Vegas, Nv., Merry (Russ) Thaden, Atchison, Ks, Janet (Randol) Mackley, Los Gatos, Ca., Robert Kim (Kymmer) Crookston, Valencia, Ca., David Crookston, Orem, Ut., Douglas (Cindy) Crookston, Provo, Ut., Kelaine (Franc) Mendicino, Midvale, Ut. and Chris (Lee) Crookston, Denver, Co. He is also survived by siblings; Lynn Crookston and Donna Jenkins. He has 103 grandchildren, 164 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. Ray’s wife, Marvel, and children, Kay Grammer and Byron Frank Crookston predeceased him in death.

Ray was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints all his life, holding many responsible callings. He graduated from Logan High School in Logan, Utah. Soon after graduation, he started welding ships in Oregon until he was eligible to join the Army Air Corp. It was during his first enlistment that he married Marvel and she joined him while stationed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During his three tours of duty, Ray also served in Japan and Korea as a radio repairman in the United States Army Air Force.

In addition to the love for his family, Ray enjoyed gardening and canning fruit. He engaged his children in these annual activities. He was an avid hunter and always provided elk and venison for the family. “Work, work, work” was his life’s motto. He provided well for his family. Yet, he balanced his work with many family outings and vacations. Ray and Marvel served two LDS missions after he retired from 25+ years at Geneva Steel in Orem, Utah as a welder and pipefitter.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 15, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., at the Midvale 4-7 Ward, 50 E 7100 South, Midvale, Utah 84047. Friends may call at the Ward Chapel from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment, Salt lake City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.BergMortuary.com.

Thank you Clark for sending this.