Raymond M. Dirks, 92

Raymond M. Dirks, 92, passed away Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at his Newport, Wash., home from cancer under the care of his family and Hospice of Spokane.

Ray was born March 7, 1917, on the family wheat ranch at Ruff, Wash., (near Marlin) to Henry and Clara Dirks. He graduated from Marlin High School in 1935. After graduation he moved with his family to Monroe, Wash.

On July 7, 1940 he married Mary Stanek of Spokane in Tacoma, Wash., and shortly thereafter began his boilermaker career working in the shipyards during the war. In 1948 the family moved to Eastern Washington, settling in Four Lakes, where he continued his work as a construction boilermaker. He worked on many of the dams and pulp and paper mills in the Northwest, retiring in 1980 from Spokane Local 242.

After retiring Ray and Mary built their country home on their timberland near Newport. He had a great love of the outdoors, actively working on his tree farm until the age of 92.

Other hobbies included fishing, hunting, gardening, working endlessly in his shop, and enjoying a good game of pinochle.

Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary, in 2005 after 65 years of marriage; sister Helen Felix; and grandson Jeremy Dirks. He is survived by his daughter Kay Kaiser and her husband Ron of North Tonawanda, N.Y., and two sons:  Ray Jr. and wife Paula of Cheney, Wash., and Don Dirks and wife Joni of Priest River, Idaho. He is also survived by six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Newport, with a memorial luncheon to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers a donations can be made to a charity of your choice.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.