Raymond A. Emtman, 82, a longtime resident of the Quincy Valley passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Wenatchee Valley Hospital.

Ray was born to Arthur and Martha (Paulet) Emtman on September 30, 1928 at Spokane. He actively participated in the family’s farming operation located between Fairfield and Plummer, ID as a young man. He graduated from Latah High School in 1946 and attended Washington State College at Pullman for two years where he met his wife, Peggy. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corp from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1953.

Ray married Peggy Louise Evers on June 14, 1952 at Almira. They returned to the family farm east of Fairfield after completion of his military service. In 1964 the family moved to Quincy to develop Southridge Orchards and raise irrigated row crops. Additionally, Ray farmed dry land wheat in Almira and later on the Frenchman Hills south of Quincy. He was named Conservation Farmer of the year in 1967 and was a founding partner in Quincy Valley Fruit and CA.

Ray had served as president of the Quincy Rotary Club and the Growers Clearing House. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Quincy, the Washington State Horticulture Association and numerous other horticulture committees, the Elks Lodge, the Moose Lodge and Triangle Grange of Fairfield.

Ray enjoyed traveling, water and snow sports, boating, fishing and a good challenge. He always enjoyed showing his farming operation to visitors and they frequently left with a box of apples or sack of potatoes.
In 1994, a serious accident left Ray handicapped. He was subsequently cared for at his Quincy home by his wife and other loyal caregivers.

Ray is survived by his loving wife Peggy of Quincy, two sons, Rick (and wife Kathy) of Pullman and Mark Spokane, two grandsons, Brian of Seattle and Jeffery of Bellingham, and brother, Harry of Richland.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger sister, Hazel.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January, 22, 2011 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Quincy.

Should friend’s desire memorials may be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 716 3rd Ave. SE, Quincy, WA 98848, the historical church in Quincy or a charity of your choice.

Please leave a memory for the family or sign their guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.

Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, 3rd & G ST SE, Quincy is handling the arrangements for the family.

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