Raymond Frederick Brainard

Raymond Frederick Brainard, 71, of Idaho Falls, passed away June 30, 2021, at Fairwinds-Sand Creek Retirement Community. He was under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice and his loving family.

Ray was born October 15, 1949, in New Britain, Connecticut, to Frederick Sidney Brainard and Stella Anna Herpst Brainard. He grew up in Westbrook, Connecticut, and attended Westbrook Junior High and Westbrook High School. Ray attended the University of Connecticut where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry. He furthered his education earning a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University in Forest Management.

On January 30, 1971, he married Kathryn Frances Burgess in Uncasville, Connecticut. They had just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Ray and Kathy were blessed with two children, Doug and Craig. Ray and Kathy made their home in northern California and Pocatello, Idaho, where Ray worked for the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service for over 30 years. He was also a wildland firefighter.

He was a member of the Catholic Church. Ray was also a member of the Society of American Foresters and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was an accomplished cyclist and rode over a thousand miles in Alaska while on vacation.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Brainard of Idaho Falls, ID; sons, Douglas Frederick (Katrina) Brainard of Swan Valley, ID, and Craig Alan (Rebecca) Brainard of Pocatello, ID; brother, Stephen (Gail) Brainard of Lititz, PA; ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and many aunts and uncles.

A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2021, at Central Christian Church, 918 E. Center Street, Pocatello.