MONTROSE — Ray was born in Ouray, Colo. to Russell E. and Mary (Girardet) Hauser. Ray grew up and went to school in Montrose during the roaring twenties and the following Depression years. He was a star athlete in high school and played football, basketball and track. As a young man, Ray was always looking for adventure. In high school he would swim the flumes in the canals around Montrose. Ray graduated from high school in 1936. He married his high school sweetheart, Merdese Hutson, and they spent nearly 70 years together. Ray and Merdese loved dancing and often went with friends to dances at the Lakeside dance hall or any other place that would let them dance.
During and after high school, Ray worked for the Western Colorado Power Company and joined the National Guard. During World War II, Ray was deferred from the military service in order to survey for the installation of critical communications throughout the western United States working for Mountain Bell/AT&T. As a result, Ray and Merdese traveled nearly continuously for seven years, living at 43 different addresses in large and small towns throughout Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. Usually they stayed in old historic hotels or apartments, but sometimes they lived in small one room cabins with no facilities, dude ranches, and even tents. These vagabond years were spent with a small team of Bell employees and their families, who were friends for the rest of their lives.
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After a brief stint at farming, he returned to work for Mountain Bell/AT&T for the next 30 years. He was one of the first microwave technicians licensed in Colorado by Mountain Bell for the installation and maintenance of the then new means of sending telephone and TV over long distances. During these years, Ray was always on call and traveled many days into the high country, often on snowshoes, to ensure the public communication systems were working. Ray supported and participated in the Montrose community in a number of ways over his 90 years, always volunteering and helping others. He was a board member of the Coal Creek School Board and coached the basketball team to a winning season in 1962. He taught basic electricity for the local 4-H club. He sat with the terminally ill and provided transportation to the elderly. Ray was a life member of the Masonic Lodge and B.P.O.E. Lodge in Montrose. He enjoyed people and as a student of world history especially enjoyed volunteering at the Montrose History Museum. He especially liked the history of western Colorado; its railroads and ranching.
Ray was known for his quick wit and humor, a good story, and his kindness to all. A little twist in his smile warned the careful observer of a coming piece of his wit and humor.
Those who most enjoyed and benefited from sharing his life include his wife of nearly 70 years, Merdese (Hutson); son, Neil and wife Teri of Centennial, Colo. and their children Matt, Pat, and Michelle and a great-grandaughter, Sofia; son, Greg and wife Linda of Gambrils, Md. and their children Brittany, Jessica, and David and his wife Katie and two great-grandchildren, Austin and Alexandria; and a very special nephew who was like another son, David Hutson of Montrose. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lloyd, and is survived by a sister, Mary Lou Salter of Garden City, Kan., and five special nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Montrose Historical Society and Museum (P.O. Box 1882, Montrose, CO 81402).
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, April 28, 2008, at 10 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 1840 E. Niagara Road, Montrose. The service will conclude at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
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