Ray Wareham

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FERRON – Our beloved husband and father, Ray Wareham, passed away attended by his loving family on the 26th day of April, 2013 in Ferron, Utah. He was born on Aug. 5, 1924, in Ferron to Kenneth and Lyda Wareham. At 19, like many of the “Greatest Generation” he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served in World War II, being stationed in Guam and the Mariana Islands. He married his sweetheart Maribelle Brown on June 22, 1952, in Kremmling, Colo. Ray and Maribelle were sealed in the Manti LDS Temple on Feb. 3, 1968. They enjoyed 60 wonderful years together.
After spending their first year in Kremmling, Ray and Maribelle returned to Ferron where they purchased a small dairy farm they later developed into a successful ranching operation of purebred Hereford and Angus cattle. Ray had a keen eye for top quality cattle and was given the Utah Cattleman of the Year Award in 1966 as well as the Utah Cattleman’s Legacy Award in 2006. He loved working in the beautiful Castle Valley outdoors and had no use for the city. Ray also worked as a coal miner and for the US Forest Service.
Ray served on the Ferron City Council where he was active in the Peach Day organization and was instrumental in the construction of the Millsite Golf Course. He was active in his LDS Church callings and he and Maribelle proudly served a mission to Cove Fort in 1999-2000. He loved hunting and camping with his family and friends, riding and racing horses, 4-wheeling, and herding cows. In his later years, Ray loved recounting the history of Emery County and his pioneer heritage. He was a gifted storyteller and enthralled anyone who was fortunate enough to listen. He could hold spellbound his listeners with tales of Butch Cassidy and Matt Warner.
Ray and Maribelle are the proud parents of two sons and one daughter, Wills of Ferron, Kit (Alma) of Cedar City, and Ginger (John) Wiscombe of Price. They have seven precious grandchildren, Clinton Wiscombe, Rebecca Portluck (Scott), Cassidy Hymas (Jeremy), Jordan Wareham (Kellee), Logan Wareham, Kelsey Wareham, and Myra Wareham, and two delightful great-grandchildren, Trae Carl and Mack Kenneth Wareham. Ray is also survived by one brother, Lee (Kathleen), and one sister, Margaret (Don) Uhl. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Max, Earnest, and Dick, one sister, Annette, and one cherished grandson (Dana Wareham).
Ray’s life will be celebrated during a funeral service at the Ferron Utah Millsite Ward, 35 West 200 North, on Friday, May 3, 2013 at 11 a.m. There will be a viewing on Thursday evening, May 2, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. also at the church, and between 9:30 to 10:30, prior to the funeral service. Interment will follow at the Ferron City Cemetery under the trusted care of the Heritage Funeral Home. Friends and family may visit and sign the guestbook at www.heritagefuneralhomeutah.com.