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Ray G. Capaul, 85

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. After a hard fight, he lost his battle and was taken from us peacefully due to complications from a stroke. He passed away Oct. 5, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Ray was born on Dec. 23, 1931, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to George Capaul Sr. and Frances Patchen. He married Marge Willet and was blessed with six children. After a divorce, he married Betty Capaul on Sept. 22, 1984, in Usk, Wash.

Ray graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1950 as student body president and went on to join the Army on May 1, 1951, through Dec. 19, 1952. He stayed in the Army Reserve for approximately 10 years. He started out with the artillery unit where he worked with some of the largest cannons in the Army arsenal. He joined the Coeur d’Alene fire department March 28, 1956, and retired in 1976 as a captain like his father. He was so proud of his sons and grandsons following in his footsteps as third and fourth generation firemen. He then worked for C&R plumbing for more than 33 years and retired in 1999. He lived in Coeur d’Alene his entire life and for the last 33 years with his soulmate Betty in their family home.

Ray loved fishing with his family and especially with Betty in Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. He also enjoyed ice fishing at Priest Lake with their dog, Bear. Along with fishing, he also loved hunting with Betty, his sons and grandsons. He always had a story to tell when gathered together and enjoyed reading to his grandkids. He loved going to the casino with his brother, Ralph, and reminiscing about their childhood home on Fourth Street where their mother was a midwife. Their dad would take a two-week vacation from the fire department where they would go to the mine at Lightning Creek. They also spent a lot of time at their grandparents house in Careywood, Idaho. He loved taking his dogs, Bear and Boots, to hunting camp with him and also enjoyed watching the squirrels in their backyard.

Ray belonged to the Eagles, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Coeur d’Alene Anglers Association.

Ray is survived by his wife, Betty of Coeur d’Alene; children Diana Guild (Scott) of Coeur d’Alene, Bob Capaul (Eleanora) of Coeur d’Alene, Kathy Capaul (Randy Bottum) of Wolf Lodge, Ken Capaul (Toni) of Rathdrum and Dorothy Ladewig (Mark) of Rathdrum; stepdaughter Carolyn Cooper (Tim) of Portland, Ore.; stepson Tom Sherman (Marianne) of Kingston; stepson Ron Sherman (Carole) of Cataldo; brother Ralph Capaul; and several grandkids and great-grandkids. Preceded in death by his parents; baby brother Allen; brother George and sister Ellene; daughter Debbie Copstead; stepdaughter Connie Larison; grandson Adam Capaul; and twin great-grandsons Ayden and Wyatt Copstead.

Graveside services at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, at Forest Cemetery on Government Way. Following the service will be a reception from 4-7 p.m. at the Eagles in Coeur d’Alene.

The family is especially grateful to the staff who cared for Ray at the Advance Care Hospital in Post Falls.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Museum of North Idaho or ALS Association.

Please visit Ray’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.