Ray Franklin Petree, left this world way too soon on January 30, 2014 with his family by his side in Rifle, Colorado. He was 64. Ray was born in Modesto, California to Troy and Lavada Petree on June 25, 1949. Ray spent the majority of his childhood in California before moving to Stilwell, Oklahoma for a short period then to Rifle where he attended Rifle High School for his junior year. He moved back to Stilwell and joined the Marine Corp at the tender age of 17. He served his country proudly in the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Purple Heart.
After serving his country the family returned back to Rifle in 1970. Where he worked in the Construction trade. His oldest son Keith was born in 1973. Soon after he went to work at Mid Continent Coal Mine. In 1976 his youngest son Tony was born.
After a slowdown in the coal industry he found his true calling as a Ford car salesman for the next 33 years. Ray truly enjoyed selling cars, he made many friends and loyal customers over the years.
He married Jackie in 1990 at which time his only daughter Stephanie came into his life.
Ray loved boating, snowmobiling, fishing and camping with family. He was an active member in the Rifle Elks Lodge where he served 2 terms as Exalted Ruler and chaired many committees and charities. He was a member of the NRA and the Rifle Sportsmen’s Club where he enjoyed trap shooting.
In 2005 he was blessed with the first of 4 granddaughters. Jadyn, Elizabeth, Rylan and Maci.
In 2007 Ray retired from Glenwood Springs Ford which gave him plenty of time to enjoy his granddaughters and family.
Ray is preceded in death by his father Troy and son Tony. He is survived by his mother Lavada, wife Jackie, son Keith (Shawna), granddaughters Jadyn and Rylan, daughter Stephanie (Travis) May, granddaughters Elizabeth and Maci, Brother Dennis (Jackie), sister, Deborah Petree, Coleeta (Todd) Saunders, nephews, Troy (Lynn) Reed, Kevin (Deena) Reed, Dustin (Melissa) Kuberry, Nicholas (Treava) Kuberry, Dennis, Ted (Nikki), and niece Tammy (Mark) Pitts, and numerous great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Affiliations

American
Elks Lodge
Fire Department Seal
Marine Corps League
National Defense Service Medal
National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
Purple Heart Award from the U.S. Military
U S Marine Corps
US Marine Corps Pistol Marksmanship badge
US Marine Corps Rifle Marksmanship Badge
Veteran
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal