Ray Priest

Charles Ray Priest left this earth to be united with his family and his beloved dog Chance on Monday, October 24, 2011, due to a lingering illness. Ray was born October 7, 1938 to James “Buster” Priest and Lavon “Toots” Whitman Priest, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. As a young boy, he attended Taylor Elementary school. He loved living on the family farm where he claimed to have worked many more hours than his siblings. Ray had a very soft spot for all animals and was known to have spent many a night in the barn when one was sick. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America Club while attending Shelley High School. He moved with his family to Delco, Idaho where he went to high school his sophomore and junior year. It was at this time that Ray decided he was smarter than his teachers, and chose to leave high school and join the United States Navy on the “buddy system.” However, when he and his buddies had their physicals, he was the only one to pass and left for boot camp by himself in 1956. During his time in the Navy, Ray enjoyed being in the V-2 Division where he supported the maintenance of aircraft systems and equipment of the USS Pine Island (AV-12). Upon returning home from his honorable military discharge, he lived in Burley, Idaho and drove semi-trucks for Bill Barnhill. It was at this time that he met the love of his life, Sibyl Muriel Turney, on July 4, 1960. After a very short, one-month courtship, Ray decided she was the girl for him and they were married in Elko, Nevada on August 4. They spent an amazing 51 years together and celebrated in Hawaii with their very dear friends. Ray and Sibyl spent a short time in Shelley, Idaho where Ray drove a milk truck. He was then offered a position with Massey Ferguson as parts manager in Burley, Idaho, where they lived for one and a half years until he was transferred to the Idaho Falls location. He spent the remainder of his life in Idaho Falls where he and Sibyl raised their children: Rick, Machelle, and Mike. For the next three years, Ray proudly drove the blue Edwards Brothers trucks. He commented more than once that this was his favorite job, but it was not Sibyl’s, because it took him away from home and his family. Therefore, on April 1, 1966, Ray began a 29 year career with INEL Bus Operations. He spent 19 years as a driver, 10 years in management, and drove 1,124,000 miles without a preventable accident and became a member of the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Club. Ray became known affectionately to his family and friends as “Safety Man Ray.” He retired on January 31, 1995. Ray returned to the road and drove the “big blue trucks” for Edwards Brothers for seven more years. He only drove part time however, because even though it was near and dear to his heart, Sibyl preferred that he was home. In his spare time, Ray worked for the State of Idaho where he gave CDL and drivers license tests to many area teenagers. He retired fully in 2005. He was infamously known for writing and submitting many Letters to the Editor in the Post Register, which became his platform for stating his views. Ray loved sports of all kinds, especially coaching baseball and Grid Kid Football when his sons were younger. He always tried to enrich the lives of young men and women through athletics. He served as Vice President and President of the Idaho Falls High School Booster Club and in 1978 was voted as Booster of the Year. Ray loved the outdoors, golfing, reading, and traveling with his wife and friends to Arizona for the winter. Above all, Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His biggest joy were his grandchildren, Zachary, Tyrell, Addie, Tanner, James, Maddie, Brennan, Baylee, Kelsey, Heather, and Devan. He was loved greatly, respected by many, and will be so dearly missed. Papa, we look forward to seeing you and Chance on the Rainbow Bridge. Ray is survived by his wife, Sibyl of Idaho Falls, ID; his sons, Rick (Pam) Priest of Kuna, ID; and Mike (Lori) Priest of Idaho Falls, ID; his only daughter, Machelle (Brent) Bergeman of Idaho Falls, ID; 11 grandchildren; his brother, Jim Priest of Idaho Falls, ID; his four sisters: Carol (Marvin) Smith, Maurine Ruane, and Betty Anderson all of Rupert, ID; Marjorie Jensen of Heyburn, ID; and a sister-in-law, Shirlee Priest of Rupert, ID. Ray was preceded in death by his parents James Priest and Lavon Whitman Priest, his brother Max Priest and his twin sisters, Sandra and Linda. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2011, at Wood East Side, (963 South Ammon Road). The family visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday evening and one hour prior to services, both visitations at Wood East Side. Interment will be in Taylor Cemetery where military rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Memorial Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Ray Priest Memorial, c/o Lighthouse Rescue Mission at P.O. Box 1467; Nampa, ID. 83653 or to the Bonneville Humane Society, P.O. Box 2763, Idaho Falls, ID 83403.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, October 29, 2011 Wood Funeral Home East Side 963 South Ammon Road Idaho Falls, ID 83406 Notes: The family visit with friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening and one hour prior to services, both visitations at Wood East Side. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery where military rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Memorial Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.