Ray Storey

Ray Ellis Storey

August 8, 1939 ~ April 11, 2016

Ray Ellis Storey passed away peacefully at home with his loving and devoted wife by his side and surrounded by his children on Monday , April 11, 2016 after struggling for several years with lingering health issues.

He was born August 8, 1939 in Ogden, Utah to Ralph Ellis and Virginia Butler Storey, the second of two sons. He was educated in the Ogden City Schools. Ray had a love for music from the time he was very young. When in elementary and junior high school, he participated in band and drum & bugle corps and was the drum major for seven years. In his adult years, he never missed opportunities to participate in plays, and musical programs. He loved singing solos and duets, and in quartets or in ward and stake choirs.

Ray’s patriotic sentiments ran deep and he conveyed that love and devotion to his country all of his life. That patriotism began in high school when he took ROTC and was a member of the exhibition platoon. In his senior year of high school he joined the US Air Force Reserve and served from 1958 to 1966. He enjoyed athletics, playing football and participating in track and field. He lettered in track and was the city/county champion in the hurdles.

He married Caroline Kaye Evans on March 15, 1958. They were blessed with three children, Michael Ray, Lezlie Kaye and Darren Keith Storey. They were later divorced. On September 29, 1972 he married his sweetheart and eternal companion, Linda Grose Bate, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Linda was blessed with two children from a previous marriage, John Richard and Stephen Gary Bate. Ray loved them as his own. They lived in Ogden until 1987 when they moved to West Point into a home they designed and built.

Ray was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in various callings including the Branch Presidency at the Utah State Industrial School, the Stake Young Men’s Presidency, Sunday School President, and in the High Priest Group Leadership.

He worked at Hill Air Force Base and after retiring from there, he drove a school bus for the Davis School District. He enjoyed getting to know the students and cherished the memories that he made.

Ray enjoyed riding his motorcycle and he loved skiing. In 1960, Ray joined the National Ski Patrol and dedicated much of his life to this organization. In addition to his service as a patroller, he became an EMT and an instructor for the OEC (Outdoor Emergency Care) and American Red Cross in First Aid and CPR. After 45 years of active service, he was made a lifetime member. He received numerous awards for his work in this organization, not only locally but nationally. He served as assistant Patrol Director at Snow Basin, and Director at Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley ski areas.

In everything he did, Ray always showed genuine love and concern for all people. He loved helping family, friends and neighbors fix things, and was known as Grandpa Ray to all the neighborhood children. He never passed by a scene of an accident without stopping to assist in caring for the injured.

Ray loved his family and enjoyed the times when they gathered together for birthdays and holidays and other occasions. He especially enjoyed being with his family at their canyon property as they played in the river, played dodge ball, had water fights or just sat around the campfire to roast hot dogs and s’mores or just sit and visit.

Ray was a man large in stature and heart. He will be greatly missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, his children, Michael Storey, Lezlie Mills, Darren (Tracy) Storey, Rick (Kathy) Bate, and Gary (Lisa) Bate, 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert Storey, and his daughter-in-law, Geri Storey.

The family would like to express their gratitude to extended family, friends and neighbors who stopped by to lend their love and support. We also wish to thank his doctors, Matthew Spencer, Daniel Humiston, and Gary Alexander for their care and compassion. We will also be forever grateful for the excellent care given by the staff of Specialty Nursing Services and South Davis Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 18, 2016 at the West Point 8th Ward Chapel, 2865 West 800 North with Bishop Kevin Colohan, officiating. The family will meet with friends Sunday, April 17th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.