Ramon ‘Ray’Alexander Simbe June 11, 1931- Sept. 26, 2022

Ray passed away early Monday, Sept. 26,2022, in Rochester, Washington at the home of his oldest son Brett and his wife Nancy, where he had lived for the last 18 months. Brett, Nancy and Mark, his youngest son, were at the home with him when he passed.

Ray was born to Hazel and Roman Simbe on June 11, 1931 in Aberdeen, Washington, where he was a longtime resident. Ray was a very proud, loyal and determined man, some may even say stubborn. Ray went to Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen, where he was a Yell Duke, and later attended Grays Harbor Community College. He met the love of his life Jackie Reynvaan who became his wife of 64 years before her passing on March 16, 2020.

Ray served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa for 18 months where he earned the rank of Corporal.

Ray loved cars, liked to drive them fast and won numerous trophies with his prized ‘32 Ford. Once he married Jackie his racing career was put on pause with some encouragement from her. Ray was partnered in Simbe & Murchy Shell Service Station before he took a job with Union Pacific Railroad. He later started a long career at Lamb Grays Harbor, and was always a proud union man of the 1183 Machinist Union. He retired after 28 years. He wasn’t one to sit still and went to work driving truck for his dear friend, Dale Lutton the owner of Lutton Trucking.

Ray loved Jackie more than anything, and they loved to dance at the Elks where he was a member and just about any place with a dance floor. He took up boating and spent summers at Lake Nahwatzel taking kids tubing and skiing with the great ski instructor Jackie at his side. Once retired they took to the road traveling to California, Arizona and places south in search of sun, making lifelong friends along the way. He also became a model train enthusiast and set up a track for his collection that is enjoyed by young and old.

In the summer of 2006, Shelton had a Classic Car Show & Drag Race, and he talked Jackie into letting him race again. This was something the family wanted to see and Team Simbe Racing was born. T-Shirts and all were a surprise to Ray, and the family showed up in force for the weekend. Pretty sure he was the oldest person dragging at 75, and he was having a blast. There was a repeat the next year and the banter over who won the race between him and his sisters’ “Cousin Buzz” is still going on today.

Ray loved old western movies and could tell stories of many of the actors as his caregivers Virginia, Joanne and Elizabeth learned of Audie Murphy and Randolph Scott in the many hours they spent watching these classics with him. He had a collection of Louie L’Amour that he spent many hours reading.

Ray was survived by his son Brett (wife Nancy), son Mark (wife Briana), granddaughter Rachel (fiance Allen), grandson Jereme, granddaughter Anisha, step-granddaughter Whitney (husband Bryce), step-granddaughter Tasha (fiance Josh), and seven great-grandchildren.

There will be a service on Nov. 4, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Harrison Family Mortuary, followed by a private graveside service, followed immediately by a celebration of life at the Rotary Log Pavilion. This is Ray and Jackie’s 67th anniversary and since we were unable to have a service for Jackie due to the pandemic, we will come together to honor them both.

Donations in honor of Ray and Jackie can be made to Providence Sound Homecare and Hospice, 4200 6th Ave SE STE 200 Lacey, WA 98503.

To share memories or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Arrangements entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.