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sheila montoya posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
David I will never forget you my friend I always treasured the flowers you would bring me to work and the chocolate covered strawberries its a little late because I just found out Ill miss you my friend Sheila from Tacoma Self Storage
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MICHELLE(MICKEY) MAGNESS MCKILLIP uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 26, 2018
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photo of Gerry Gronseth, Dave Ray, and Michelle Magness Mckillip
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Michelle Schreiner posted a condolence
Saturday, August 25, 2018
I worked with Dave for many years. I was with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Dave was always kind, gracious and wore the BEST t-shirts. I am so sorry for your loss.
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Donald Arsenault, CCIM posted a condolence
Friday, August 24, 2018
A Tribute to My Dear Friend, Dave Ray
Dave Ray was a very dear and close friend of mine for several years. Dave lived at the Miller Apartments in Tacoma for quite a few years. He was always helping people. He loved doing research and digging for the facts. I think that’s one reason why he chose his career in dirt, many people knew him as Dr. Dirt.
Dave found newspaper articles in the Tacoma Daily Ledger about the construction of the Miller Apartments that were built in 1907 in 1909. He found so many facts and articles that no one would ever dream existed. Dave was a seeker of truth. He was never happy with just the surface answer he had to get to the bottom of things.
Dave’s expertise with dirt and soils, the terrain and topographies were his guide. He once was called on by the National Park Service of Mount Rainier to solve a problem with their new plumbing systems not flushing well after installing low water volume toilets. The officials just did not realize that it takes a certain quantity of water flow the distances to carry the of effluent in the low water volume toilets just could not do the job. They put in the regular toilets and solved the problems. It took Dave to figure that out.
He was also one of the very best soil engineers around. He could make practically any type of ground perk, so the land could be developed rather than lay idle because of the property not being able to handle an on-site septic system.
Obviously, Dave loved music. Dave was a master musician. When I told him that I was hoping to learn the harmonica, Dave showed up with a set of harmonicas, one for each chord of the scale. Dave also knew that I love Eagles and that my totem is a soaring Eagle. I even have a soaring Eagle on my business card as part of my logo. Dave shared in my interest.
Dave was always there when I needed help. He cared about me and my family. He was always asking me about my daughter and her battle with cancer. Dave was a true friend, I miss him now and will continue to miss him for the rest of my days. God bless you Dave Ray now and always and thank you for being my dear friend.
By: Donald G. Arsenault, CCIM
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Brian Scheffer posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Dave; I will always love you. You were one of the first people I met when I moved to Olympia in 1969. Dave was a friend to me and my family all this time. He was a weird and wonderful story teller and a brilliant mind. I loved his curiosity and his open heartedness. RIP Dave
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matthew a clark posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
I worked along side Dave for many projects and he guided me through a lot of challenging things. He encouraged me so much and helped me and others out so much. The world will not be the same. He was always a phone call away when I had a slope of a hillside falling or when I had an ancient aquifer draining a basement. One of my fondest memories of Dr. Dirt was doing a sewer job and he told me I was gonna have to go down in the tank cause he was too old to get covered in crap; anyone who knows Dave knows those weren't the exact words. lol He pushed me to get my degree in archaeology and was so proud to talk about history with me. I am 36 and he became one of my closest friends and someone I looked up to. I will miss you my friend and brother in arms and Archaeology. RIP old friend.
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Chris Ristine posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
Though I didn't personally know Dave, I so much appreciated the kind words and insight he shared into my dad's character when he passed away almost ten years ago. Rest in peace, Dave.
Chris Ristine (Cliff's son)
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Donna Rae LaFrance posted a condolence
Saturday, August 18, 2018
So So Sad to hear of David's passing, he was such a friendly, loving person and above all relative to all of us through our sweet cousin Colleen and children.
God bless you all that love him and miss him, but know he is making music with Jesus and all the singing angels in heaven.
love you all
Donna Rae and Jack
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Janet Nelson posted a condolence
Thursday, August 16, 2018
I was sad to hear of Dave's passing. Such a warm, loving person, with great bear hugs! I was part of a group from the 70's that enjoyed his musical talent, his friendship, and his wisdom.
I was glad to read that his life was full and that he enjoyed his passions.
Condolences to all family members, I know he will be greatly missed.
Janet Nelson
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Roger Bassett posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Many memories, all good. One goes back to the 70's in Olympia when I was a suit working for the state and Dave was with the county health dept. He was tasked to inspect a small rock festival site near Nisqually as I recall it and asked me to go with him. The site was being set up when we arrived. He introduced himself and then me who he explained was a county official who would shut them down if they did't listen carefully and act accordingly. They did. We left in something approachin a Blues Brothers walk and the festival went off without a hitch.
Another was the evening after the service for our mutual friend Ken Paul. Dave was a major part of the service and a tight friend of Ken's. He was heartbroken. After the service we headed out for a drive, stopping at a small pool hall in, as I recall, Tumwater. Empty except for one 20 something playing pool by himself. Dave asked him if he wanted to play. 7 or so games later, during which he took a break to get more money ("from Mommy?" said Dave he conceded, never knowing that he was a victim of skill, anger and grief and not just a loser of a pool game.
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The family of David Lee Ray uploaded a photo
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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The family of David Lee Ray uploaded a photo
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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