Raymond J. Crider

Raymond J. Crider, age 77, of Grants Pass, died Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at his home.

A viewing will be from 12:00 noon to service time, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at Grace Bible Church.

A funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at Grace Bible Church with Pastor Gary Cloud officiating. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Gideons, PO Box 605, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528 or to Gospel Rescue Mission, PO Box 190, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528.

Ray was born September 2, 1931 in Peoria, Illinois to Bert & Lena Crider. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1951 during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in El Toro, California, where he met his wife-to-be. He married Peggy Moore on July 3, 1953. After two years at Fullerton Junior College, he was offered a job in electronics in 1956 by Chevron Oil Field Research in La Habra, California, which he accepted and later retired from there after 35 years. Ray & Peggy moved from Santa Ana, California 12 years ago and became members of Grace Bible Church of Grants Pass.

Ray was known as a perfectionist, and researched everything before making a decision. With his knowledge of electronics, mechanics, and science, he was able to assist many friends, family and sometimes complete strangers. He had a gift of wisdom, and cared deeply for those he came in contact, sometime a sacrifice to himself.

Ray loved to play football in high school and the Marine Corps, and even played on a semi-pro farm team. He also played basketball, baseball and ping-pong, and was an avid follower of most sports. He tried to play pool, but usually ended up being walloped! He loved working with kids, and was able to manage little league for eight years while his son, Mike played and moved up to Majors.

Ray accepted the Lord Jesus while a teenager at the Bacon Memorial Mission in Peoria.
Because of Ray’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not grieve as those with no hope. We believe that we will be reunited with Ray, and all our loved ones who have died in the Lord.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy L. Crider of Grants Pass; a daughter, Susan L. Kuglin and husband, Randy of Burnsville, Minnesota; a son Michael R. Crider and his wife, Kim of Hesperia, California; a sister, Glenna Zimmerman of Benton, Arkansas and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert & Lena Crider and eight brothers and sisters.