Ray Len Caudill

Ray Len Caudill

October 29,1958 - March 30, 2016

Ray Len Caudill passed away surrounded by family on March 30, 2016 at Alaska Regional Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska.

He was born October 29,1958 in Banks, Oregon to Duane and Geri Caudill.

Growing up Ray attended school in Banks and worked in his parents’ restaurant every day before and after school. He graduated from high school in 1976, attended the University of Oregon before moving to Alaska in 1978 to work on a fishing boat in Cordova. After fishing he worked as a logger in Icy Bay, Alaska.

That same year, Ray met his future wife Robin and was later married May 5,1984 at the Covenant Church in Anchorage, AK.

In the summer of 1984 Ray and Robin moved to Unalakleet, where they raised their only daughter Dawn.  That same summer Ray started working at the Brown’s Lodge as a cook and later became the head cook and manager until 1995. He worked at the lodge for over 30 years full time, part time and as a contract worker.  Ray also commercial fished in Bristol Bay every summer for 18 years with Leonard Brown and his son Melvin.

In 1995 he started working at the Unalakleet Schools as a cook and later became the head cook until his passing. He was loved by all and loved his job, most of all the children. At school he was known as “Mr. Ray.” He volunteered to work for most all of the school tournaments and various other events over the years.

Ray also loved being a commercial fisherman and loved being on the water. In 2008 he bought a salmon fishing permit and started fishing in the Norton Sound. 2015 was his first year commercial crabbing with his fishing partner and friend Melvin Brown.

Ray was always busy working or volunteering in the community. He was a Search and Rescue volunteer in the 80’s and over the years has cooked for lots of weddings and community potlucks. He would often work all night to cook and care for the Iditarod and Iron Dog racers and volunteers.

Ray was a gentle, loving, hardworking and positive role model for his daughter and grandchildren, who love and adore him dearly. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten by all who knew him.

Ray is preceded in death by his father Duane Caudill and older brothers Don and Rusty Caudill.

He is survived by his wife Robin, daughter Dawn, son-in law Steve Harris, grandchildren Michael and Tami, Malorie, Kevin Blankenship, Alex, Steven Harris; his mother Geraldine Caudill of Helena, MT; in- laws Mildred and Ralph Ivanoff from Unalakleet, AK. Brothers Gary Caudill of Anchorage, AK, Barry and Julia Caudill of Beaverton, OR; sister, Glenna Cooley of Helena, MT. Numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews whom he loved and adored. 

Some of his ashes will be spread in the Unalakleet fishing grounds he so loved.  Burial services will be held in Banks, OR on July 30, 2016 where he will be buried next to his dad and brothers.

The Nome Nugget

PO Box 610
Nome, Alaska 99762
USA

Phone: (907) 443-5235
Fax: (907) 443-5112

www.nomenugget.net

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