Ray Dipoma

Ray “Nino” A. Dipoma

April 4, 1922 ~ April 17, 2015

Ray “Nino” A. Dipoma was born in Ogden, Utah on April 4, 1922 to Theresa Nardin and Joseph Dipoma.

While growing up he worked with his father trucking produce from Arizona to Wyoming and Idaho and returning potatoes on the trip back to Arizona. He acted as a relief driver beginning at age 14. He had many tales of the close calls they would have driving on narrow 1930’s roads and bridges often in poor weather. In his teenage years he was known for his antics roller-skating at the Berthana rink. He loved the movies and made a real effort to see each movie at least once.

Ray graduated from Ogden High School. He met his wife-to-be Ruth Allred while working loading 50 caliber machine-gun belts for the war effort. They were married in June of 1942. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple. October of 1942, Ray enlisted in the Army Air Corps. During WWII he served in the 339 Fighter Squadron in the Pacific. He was a sergeant when the war was won.

After his discharge Ray wanted to establish his own business. Ray pioneered grocery-store-on-wheels converting an Army bus into a mobile grocery market. Ray served the Washington Terrace area with his mobile convenience food market, driving a route six days a week. In 1956, Ray and Ruth retired the mobile market and opened Dipoma’s Market on 28th Street. He continued his convenience marketing, opening drive-up windows for groceries and deli items.

When Ray retired he purchased recreational property in Sourdough Wilderness Ranch where he and Ruth spent many summer days. When the winter denied him access to his mountain projects he became a “snowbird”. He was proud of his vacation home in Apache Junction, AZ.

Surviving are his children, Dewey (Karen) Dipoma; Tami (Ron) Proctor; and Terry (YounSu) Dipoma; daughter-in-law, Chris Profazer Dipoma; and son-in-law, Stephen Russell. In addition, for a time he helped raise his sister-in-law, Louise (Dennis) Wakefield. His sisters are, Carma Jensen and Marian (Robert) Bowen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Dewey L. Dipoma; wife, Ruth Allred Dipoma; son, Larry R. Dipoma; and daughter, Nancy Russell.

The family wants to express thanks to the caring staff of the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home. In lieu of flowers Ray has requested donations to the Utah Food Bank at utahfoodbank.org.

A brief Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.