Paul Douglas Bray, 85, of Townsend, Montana, passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, of natural causes.
He was born February 21, 1933, in Elma, Washington, to Everett and Angeline Bray. As the oldest of seven children, he grew up on his family’s farm outside of Elma on the Moxie, living close to both sets of grandparents and other family members. He graduated in 1951 from Elma High School and shortly afterwards joined the Merchant Marine. While in the Merchant Marine, he sailed to Europe, Panama, India, Alaska, and during the Korean war he spent over nine months shipping scrap metal and supplies between Japan and Korea.
After leaving the Merchant Marine, he entered the University of Oregon where he graduated in 1960 with a BA in marine biology. By then he had married and was a father and realized that it was time to establish a permanent home. He was offered a job in Montana as a pharmaceutical salesman. Desiring to leave the clouds and rain of the northwest and find sunshine and blue skies, he took the job and moved to Great Falls, Montana where he raised his all of his children. Paul dearly loved children and treated his biological children and stepchildren with equal love and support, and they have deeply loved him in return.
On April 12, 1997, he married Margaret Juanita Scott in Helena. In 2000 the couple moved from Canyon Ferry Lake to Townsend, Montana, where they became members of that wonderful community and lived for the remainder of Paul’s life. Paul was a very outgoing person and soon was involved with Rotary, Holy Cross Catholic Church, and participating in many other activities, such as the mentor program sponsored by Rocky Mountain Development, cleaning up the cemetery at the Canton Church, judging debates, etc. He and Juanita shared hobbies and interests in genealogy, birding and gardening.
Paul was preceded in death by his son Jeff, his parents, his brothers Dale and Lester Bray, and his sisters Katie Davis and Verlene Morrison.
Survivors include his wife Juanita Bray, daughter Kimberly Harlington (Eric), sons Michael Bray (Ruth), and Kevin Bray (Robin), stepdaughter Traci Russell (Doug), stepson Jeff Howard, stepson Douglas Donegon (Nichole), and Juanita’s children, Mary Palmonari, Laura Stevenson, Don Larsen, Kay Cook and their families. Grandchildren include Vincent Bray, Rochelle Rose, Anthony Bray, Sophia Bray, Sean Harlington, Bridger Harlington, Rachel Bowles and Lindsey Bowles.
Rosary will be 6:00 PM Thursday June 21 at Holy Cross Church in Townsend with Mass at the church on Friday June 22 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow Mass with a reception afterwards at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Townsend Rotary “ Paul Bray Scholarship Fund”, P.O. Box 1192, Townsend, Mt. 59644 or to Holy Cross Cemetery program in care of the Holy Cross Church, P.O. Box 610, Townsend, Mt. 59644.
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Thursday June 21, 2018
Holy Cross Catholic Church
101 South Walnut Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday June 22, 2018
Holy Cross Catholic Church
101 South Walnut Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Graveside Service
Immediately following the funeral Mass
Friday June 22, 2018
Holy Cross Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday June 22, 2018
Holy Cross Catholic Church Social Center
101 S. Walnut Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Thursday June 21, 2018
Holy Cross Catholic Church
101 South Walnut Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday June 22, 2018
Holy Cross Catholic Church
101 South Walnut Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Graveside Service
Immediately following the funeral Mass
Friday June 22, 2018
Holy Cross Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday June 22, 2018
Holy Cross Catholic Church Social Center
101 S. Walnut Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
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Jean Sautter says
Thank you Paul and Juanita for helping make Townsend our new home.
Kathleen Ruh Trapp says
Juanita and Mary,
I send you both warm hugs as condolence for your loss of Paul. His warm and genuine smile matched his quick wit; our Family was blessed to have shared a Faith and a Community with you and Paul. His constant generosity of spirit extended from the pew behind us at Sunday Mass, to an unending stream of salty shared email humor. Much Love : Kathleen and Greg, Will, Anne, Joseph, Jack, Kathleen II, Kurt, Greta and Gregory Jr.
T.J & Wendy Graveley says
Sending love and prayers to Paul, Juanita and family. Paul always took care of us and our neighborhood, which has been greatly appreciated and will be deeply missed.