Ray Grimson

1944 - 2019

 Raymond Einar Grimson, beloved husband of Alexis Grimson of Brooks, passed away in Calgary on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the age of 75 years.

 The service in celebration of Ray’s life was held at the Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 1217 - 2 Street West, Brooks on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. A private committal service followed at the Brooks Cemetery. 

 Besides his loving wife Alexis, Ray is survived by his sons Gavin (Angelina) Grimson of Calgary and their children Alissa and Austin; Corby (Terri) Grimson of Taber and their children Erik and Jayna; sisters Marilyn (Ernie) Rowein of Sundre and Gail Grimson of Sylvan Lake as well as numerous brothers in-law, sisters in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

 He was predeceased by his parents Fred and Doris Grimson and in-laws Alex and Thelma Ray.

 Ray led a full life, both personally and professionally. He attended school at Burnt Lake, a one room facility near Sylvan Lake. Scholastically Ray excelled, skipping grades and entering the Department of Agriculture at the University of Alberta at the age of sixteen. By twenty two, he had achieved his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in animal nutrition. Through university and work he met many lifelong friends. He cherished these relationships throughout his life.

  In 1968, he married Alexis Ray whom he had met four years earlier while working in Beaverlodge. 

  His career started in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with Federated Co-op. In 1973, he became a nutritionist for Lakeside Feeders in Brooks and remained employed there for many years. While working at Lakeside he participated in projects with the Government of Canada and Alberta Agriculture, consulting on livestock husbandry, nutrition and economics. He finished his career as the manager of operations for Lakeside, retiring at the age of sixty three. 

 Ray was an avid outdoorsman: in his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a true Norseman and loved the water.  Ray always had a boat. For a number of years he and Alexis would travel to Kaslo, British Columbia where he kept a boat, pursued large rainbow and was surrounded by numerous family and friends.

 Ray was blessed with four wonderful grandchildren Erik, Jayna, Alissa and Austin, whom he loved with all his heart. They gave him great joy.

 Ray was an avid reader of history and politics. He had great wit and a head full of knowledge.

 Ray was proud of his heritage and held his father in great esteem. Being the son of a farmer, welder and blacksmith was a great source of pride for him. As a child he was eager to learn from his father and acquired many of those skills.   

 Ray passed on July 3, 2019 with his wife and sons by his side. His favourite music, the Sons of the Pioneers, played throughout his last few hours. He passed peacefully and surrounded with love and though we are grieving, we have so many good memories of this wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. 

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ray’s name may be made directly to the Brooks and District Health Foundation, 440 - 3 Street East, Brooks, Alberta T1R 0X8 or to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, PO Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 www.stars.ca.