Obituary of Raymond Orton

ORTON – Raymond A “Ray” passed away with his family by his side on Sunday, May 15, 2011, after a brief illness. He was born July 28, 1927 in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan to Hilda and Raymond M. Orton. Ray married Mary Letkeman in 1951. The legacy he shares with Mary are 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Raised on the family farm north of Carmichael, SK. Ray ventured to B.C. as a young man and worked in several different occupations. Ray tried his sea legs and worked on a fishing boat off of Vancouver Island for a period of time, but told the story about how the ocean waves didn’t quite agree with his health. Working his way to solid ground, he continued in the fishing industry as a fish buyer. Being an adventurous young man, he then worked in a copper mine north of Vancouver. With the flatlands calling him home, Ray returned to Carmichael and worked with CP Rail and eventually entered the Oil Industry. This was Ray’s passion, as he spent 39 years as a contract operator in the patch. In 1950 Ray, decided he wasn’t busy enough and started farming the land that was homesteaded by his grandparents. He along with Mary continued to farm until 2010. Ray will be forever missed by his wife Mary and their children: Pat (Terry) Busse, Mike (Deb) Orton, Dan (Daphne) Orton and Reg (Carla) Orton. He also leaves to mourn his grandchildren; Andy (Ruby) Busse, Angie (Mike) Hughes, Todd (Tiffany) Orton, Tara (Nick) Richards, Ryan Orton, Eric Orton, Tyler Orton, Jesse Orton, Kaleb Orton, Abby Orton and their families. Ray is also survived by sister’s in-law Susan Rebman, Lil (Hugh) Hauser and Ellie Letkeman; brother’s in-law Jack (Clara) Letkeman and Ben (Peg) Letkeman and many nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his parents; mother and father-in-law Jacob and Florentina Letkeman, 4 brothers-in-law, Ray Rebman, Karl Letkeman, Ervin Letkeman and Elliot Hoyt and one sister-in-law Erna Hoyt. A private family graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the Gull Lake Cemetery, Gull Lake, SK. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit our website at www.parksidefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.