Ray Eugene Crain

June 1, 1949 -

Jan 29, 2020

On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2020, Ray Eugene Crain passed away, at the age of 70.

Ray was born on June 1, 1949, to Delford and Ramona (LaFromboise) Crain in Klamath, Ore.

Ray was a member of the Klamath Native Americans in Klamath, and a member of the Chippewa Indians of Turtle Mountain, N.D.

After Ray was born, they moved to Helena, Mont., where he spent the majority of his younger years into adulthood. Ray received his education in drafting and designed many homes; his specific designs were log homes. Ray had a passion for the mountains and painting, and he combined his two favorite hobbies to create extraordinary art. His other passion was fishing. He was known for his quick wit and his great smile and laugh and his kind and compassionate spirit for others … he often said: "be the best you can, help those who cannot help themselves. Protect the young and elderly from abuse and always show respect to the elders."

Ray moved to the Seattle area for a short time, with the desire to always wanting to move to the great state of Alaska. He eventually moved there in 1983, and stayed there until his passing on Jan.29, 2020. Over the years, Ray met many people and became very close friends with a lot of them who have since passed on.

He is preceded in death by his father, Delford; and his mother, Ramona; his sister, Kathy Jo Cristiani Gillespie; and his brother, Jeffrey Lynn McMaster.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Alyssum (Beau) Greenley and their four children of Bozeman, Mont., Stacey (Seth) Birkholz and their son of Kings, Ill., and Sarah Crain of Kings; brothers, Anthony LaFromboise (Becky) of Turtle Mountain, Dean (Mary) Cristiani of Dublin, Ohio, and Gary (Lynn) McMaster of Conroe, Texas; and his sister, Margie (Paul) Cristiani Johnson of Great Falls, Mont.; in addition to many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and Ray's wishes were to bring him back to his home in Montana, where his ashes will be spread this summer.

Our family would like to thank all the medical staff of the Wasilla Hospital and the Alaska Native Hospital in Anchorage for their compassion and care for our father and brother. We would also like to acknowledge his close friends in Big Lake for your friendships and love for our father and brother. Thank you, Martin Buser, (Dog Man), Jackie Bliss and Boogie and Monty and to all those others that knew him.

Miiqwech dasogikinoonowin kizheawadizzi, zaagitoon, minwaabamewizi.

Thank you for the years of kindness, love and respect ... Ray.