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Dr. Raynor C. Clemons Jr., 93

Ray Clemons passed away at home with his family by his side on Dec. 24, 2018. He was born Sept. 25, 1925, in El Centro Hospital in National City, Calif. He followed in his father’s footsteps in becoming a dentist. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1947 and served in the U.S. Navy.

Ray left California to embrace Idaho’s out-of-doors. He hunted, did field trials, skied, played golf, flew his airplane and worked on his ranch. He had a private practice but was also a dentist for Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise.

Music was a great love. Ray was a soloist, a trumpet player and pianist. He relished every genre, from singing in the Hollywood Presbyterian Choir and the Boise Gleemen, to playing Dixieland. After retirement he played with various bands, did private gigs and accompanied his daughter, a violist.

In 1959 a friend insisted he meet a certain nurse in Texas. It seemed an unlikely prospect; She was 11 years younger and lived 1,200 miles away. However, the match made was wise and they married three months later. The two would have celebrated their 59th anniversary on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018.

Marrying at 33, Ray loved having a family and participating in all their activities: scouts, music, horse riding groups, athletics and the arts.

Ray’s greatest joy was playing the piano in church, working with youth groups, studying and teaching the Bible.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elsie and Raynor Clemons and his sister, Diane Meyer of Omaha, Neb.

Survivors include his wife, Larry Ann of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; children, David (Sandy) Clemons of Coeur d’Alene, Diana Clemons of Rathdrum, Idaho and Scott Clemons of Coeur d’Alene; and grandson, Caleb (born on Ray’s birthday) of Rathdrum.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.