June 16, 1926 - May 06, 2022
Raymond P. Tomlinson Obituary He was born in Walla Walla, WA on June 16, 1926, to Ruby Mae Nelson Tomlinson and Walter Byron Tomlinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister�s Dorothy Irene Peay, Donald Dean, Lois Jean Bolt, Margaret Ellen Strickland, a daughter, Julie Lee, and a son Steven Ray. He attended Berney Grade School and Walla Walla High School. While in high school he played football and was active in the ROTC program. He served with the U.S. Army during World War 11. He was part of the 9th Service Command which later became the 6th Army Headquarters with General �Vinegar Joe�Joseph Stilwell. After his return from the service, he attended Kinman Business College in Spokane where he received his Batchelor of Commercial Science and completed his CPA training. He also completed classes at Oregon State College and Eastern Washington University related to his job. He married Verla Lee (Nancy) Thompson on August 8, 1948, in Pendleton, OR. Mr. Tomlinson worked for 36 years for the Farm Credit Banks. He retired on May 2, 1985, at the age of 58years old. He was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and received many honors and awards for his work and service to the Farm Credit System. He traveled to many cities such as Washington D.C., New York City, NY, Baltimore, MD, New Orleans, LA and Minneapolis, MN while serving on many national committees for his job. For several years he was in charge of the Computer Center in Minneapolis, MN. He was very active in scouting and served many years as scout master for troop 348 at Lincoln Heights Elementary School. He really loved going to scout camp each year at Diamond Lake with Troop 348. Stories about the long hikes the troop took to Glacier National Park, The Bob Marshall Wilderness and The Crest Trail from Stevens Pass to CleEllum were his favorites. It was a great time for all the fathers and their sons. His three sons and nine other young men obtained the rank of Eagle Scout while he was scout master. He was very proud of all their accomplishments; each young man was special to him. He was involved in PTA, Cub and Boy Scouts and numerous committees for several other groups in the area. He also received a special award for his leadership as a scoutmaster of Troop 348 at Lincoln Heights School. He was selected to be in Who�s Who in the State of Washington in 1975. He and his wife Verla (Nancy) were for many years active in square and round dancing groups. They were members of Swap and Swing and KD Squares dance clubs and the Western Dance Association. He was State Treasurer for the Washington State Square Dance Association, and treasurer of the Footnotes magazine, He also served as President of the Spokane Area Council and was an Area Representative for Spokane. He and his wife attended and participated in many local, state, and national square dance conventions and traveled to Canada for square dance festivals. Camping, boating, water skiing, salmon fishing, traveling and square dancing were activities enjoyed by all his family, friends, and neighbors. Salmon fishing at Deception Pass near Oak Harbor, WA was a favorite spot for Ray and his 3 sons to go fishing each year and they had the pictures to prove it. He and his family attended the Lincoln Heights Congregational Church for many years where he served on the cabinet and numerous church committees and was part of the group who built the new church in 1957-1958. He spent two years working on weekends building a home on Hayden Lake for his wife and family. The beautiful white rock fireplace and special kitchen was his wife�s dream, he made sure she had it. He enjoyed and spent many hours pulling the children by boat on water skis and preparing barbeques for them and their friends. He also spent many hours relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet on the lake. He loved sitting on the covered deck looking down the lake, watching the boats go by, admiring the beautiful scenery, the animals, the water skiers going by and the wonders of nature. He really loved the outdoors! Ray and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows on August 8, 1998, in the Congregational Church with all their 4 children and 5 grandchildren as their attendants. Their daughter Pastor Nanette Tomlinson/Knoell and Pastor George Pontius officiated at the service. Amanda Tomlinson, granddaughter was the soloist for the ceremony. Over 200 guests attended and many of the original wedding party were present. He became a member at the Southside Senior Activity and Community Center in 1985. In 1986 he became more involved and served on many committees and was active in 2 of the golf groups. He joined the Donn and Dude Thompson Golf Group when it was organized in 1992 and enjoyed playing with all the 20 people who are part of the group. Besides playing all the courses in Spokane, the group made many trips to Canada and Idaho. He and his wife also made several trips to Arizona to participate in Elderhostel classes, visit friends and wintered there for 6 years. Traveling to visit his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was his greatest joy. At the Southside Senior and Community Center he served on the Board as Finance Chairman, vice president, president for 3 years 1998-2001 and then as president again in 2006-2007. He was President and co-chairman for the fund raising and construction of the new SSACC Center. He had served on the Board for over 14 years. He was also Member Emeritus for the Southside Senior Activity Center and a Lifetime Member. The plan of the Board was to work in conjunction with the area elementary schools, community churches, businesses, and the people on the south side. He felt strongly about building a Center where seniors, their families and friends could have the opportunity to get together, take classes, and be involved in social activities together. He was deeply involved with the landscaping and care of the new building. He and his son Stuart were also responsible for developing and maintaining the web site for the Southside Senior & Community Center for many years. He was an active volunteer until his 90th birthday. In 2003 he received the Spokane Parks and Recreation �Volunteer of the Year Award� for his dedication and commitment to his community. He was also a lifetime member of the Greater Spokane Elks Club #228. He enjoyed playing golf, traveling, volunteering, and building his own home on Hayden Lake in Idaho. He loved visiting his 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren who lived in many parts of the country. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Verla and three children: Retired Pastor Nanette Tomlinson/Knoell and husband Jerry of Fayetteville, NC, Stuart Tomlinson of Maryland Heights, MO, Kris and Barbara Tomlinson of Moses Lake, WA, and grandchildren: Jennifer and Luke Mahoney of Saco, Maine, Casey and Darral Eason of Meridian, ID, Amanda Tomlinson Reif and husband Chris of Ames, Iowa, Kristoffer Tomlinson and wife Michelle of Florissant, MO, and Rachel and husband Steven Strohm of Dardenne Prairie, MO. She also leaves fifteen great grandchildren: Jack and Henry Mahoney, Sidney and Zachary Eason, Kailyn and Steven Tomlinson, Brandon and Athena Gorham, McKinley and Tucker Strohm, Eliyanah and Ivy Reif, Isabella, and Sophia Delles-Gonzales. He is survived by numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and many friends. He was a very hard working and loving husband, a devoted and caring father and a proud grandfather and great grandfather. He never failed to make them all feel that they were the most important people in his life. We will never forget his love, devotion, and dedication to all of those he loved and cared about. We all depended on his guidance and leadership every day of his life. His work ethics and dedication were an example for all of us. He will be greatly missed and never be forgotten. He was a member of the Lincoln Heights Community Church. The family suggests that any memorial contributions may be made to the Lincoln Heights Community Church or a Charity of your choice. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Raymond, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events MAY 15 Visitation Sunday, May 15, 2022 1:00PM - 5:00PM Heritage Funeral & Cremation 508 North Government Way Spokane, WA 99224 Get Directions View Map Text Email MAY 16 Funeral Service Monday, May 16, 2022 11:00AM Heritage Funeral & Cremation 508 North Government Way Spokane, WA 99224 Get Directions View Map Text Email MAY 16 Graveside Monday, May 16, 2022 12:30PM Fairmount Memorial Park 5200 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205 Get Directions V
Kommentare