Glean Raymond “Ray” Riffe, age 83, a resident of Hoquiam, Washington left to be with his Lord and Savior on January 26, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Fay Ione (Carlson) Riffe, parents, James Arnold Riffe and Alma B. Topping Riffe and his brother, Naaman Riffe.
He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Drucker (Barry) of Happy Valley, Oregon; Lori Roach (Robert) of Ironton, Ohio, and Tracy Riffe of Ashland, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Amanda Scarberry, Sarah Roach, Jacob Burns, Abrianna Drucker and Blake Drucker; two great-grandchildren, Elowen and Odin; his younger sister, Shiral Boone (Daniel) of Hoquiam, his sister-in-law, Isabel Riffe of Hoquiam and nieces and nephews that were very loved and so important to him.
Glean was born in Wayne County, West Virginia on February 15, 1940. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17, and spent a large part of his time in Tokyo. After his discharge in 1961, he moved to Washington state to be closer to his parents who moved from W.V. during his time in the Marines. He found employment at the Hoquiam Plywood Mill.
Soon after, he met Fay Carlson, the love of his life, whom he married in 1965. The couple lived in Hoquiam and Central Park, where they raised their three daughters, until moving the family to Ohio in 1981. He became a truck driver and was instrumental in creating a Union for his fellow truck drivers before retiring. Afterwards, he and Fay made their way back to Grays Harbor around 2003.
Glean had many interests. He learned to fly at Bowerman Airfield obtaining his pilots license in 1973, loved to fish, and hunt with his brother, Naaman in the Cascades. In 1976 he became a member of the West Haven Masonic Lodge in Hoquiam and achieved the level of 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Glean was also a longtime member of the Grays Harbor Rifle and Pistol Club and the Muzzle Loader Club, participating in many events such as the annual Seven Rivers Rendezvous (a black powder muzzle loader competition). He was a damned good marksman up into his 80s winning first place on many occasions.
Glean had a quick wit and a very generous heart. He was proud of his love for Jesus Christ, for his service to his country in the Marines, of the love he had for his wife and his deep commitment to his marriage. He has been an excellent example of what a good man is and lived his life with integrity. He is deeply loved by his daughters and will be missed by all who had the chance to know him.
An urn committal service for will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Hoquiam’s Sunset Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the Open Bible New Beginnings Church, 301 N. B Street, Aberdeen.
Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net
