Alva Ray Blaylock

Alva Ray Blaylock, Jr., age 82, was received into the arms of our Lord on March 8, 2005 at St. Mary's Medical Center. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Athena Baptist Church in Athena, Oregon. Burial will follow at the Athena Cemetery.

Ray was born on September 19, 1922 in Pasadena, California to Alva Ray and Lois (Gray) Blaylock, Sr. He attended Baker area schools and graduated from Baker High School in 1940. He was "Yell-King", which was a male cheerleader for athletic activites. He was also Drum Major for the Baker High School Band.

On May 20, 1945, Ray married Harriett Jean Thomas at the First Baptist Church in Athena, Oregon which both were members. Harriett preceded Ray in death on January 15, 2003. When Ray and Harriett married, they became the proprietors of a soda fountain in Athena, which was perfect for they were both highly motivated and good cooks. They decided to start a family right away with Tom being born the year following their marriage and Ellen being born three years later. The family thoroughly enjoyed doing things together. It seemed most activities revolved around their church family. Camping was a favorite activity, with several trips to Mt. Adams for huckleberry picking. The family brought home "GALLONS" of berries.

Ray was very active in community activities. He was involved in Boy Scouts and even went with Tom to Colorado to the Boy Scout Jamboree in 1960. He had a beautiful tenor voice, which he shared with everyone. He, with Tom and Ellen, sang numerous solos, duets and trios. Harriett was always in the audience, as she always said, "every performer needs an audience." Ray was one of the organizers and directors for the Athena Drum and Bugle Corps. Tom was a member of the group, Ellen was in the drill team and Harriett made uniforms. Family was everything! Ray was also a member of the Masons.

In 1960, Ray was Umatilla County Cowbelles Father of the Year. In 1961, he was Umatilla County Cowbelles Father of the Year again and was also Oregon State Cowbelles Father of the Year. He and his family were very honored in Portland for the Oregon State Father of the Year. The entire family went to Portland as guest of the Oregon State Cowbelles, which included a stay at The Imperial Hotel and dinner in Ray's honor. The family was even introduced on TV during the Heck Harper Children's Show."

Ray worked for his aunt and uncle, Lorraine and Lawrence Pinkerton, in Athena from the time he was 16. He continued to work during summer harvest while he was also employed by the school district. Ray was the head custodian at McEwen High School in Athena from the time it was dedicated in 1949 until 1962. In 1962, he and his family (with his family's and many friends' encouragement) decided to move to La Grande and complete his education. He was already filling in for teachers in their absence at McEwen High School and decided he should further his education to become a full-time teacher. He was awarded the McEwen High School Parent Teachers Association scholarship, which was a wonderful "boost" to get him started with his higher education. He completed his education at Eastern Oregon College in La Grande in 1965 with a degree in music. He began his career as a music teacher in Elgin in the fall of 1965. After 13 years in Elgin, Ray and Harriett moved to Umatilla for Ray to teach music. Ray retired in 1984 and he and Harriett moved to Walla Walla, Washington. Ray was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He became an inspiration to many by sharing his talents. After Harriett's death, he continued to go to the Dialysis center to visit with the patients with whom they became acquainted during Harriett's treatments. Ray and Harriett did a LOT of remodeling of their home in Athena, in addition to the homes in which they lived in La Grande. They had immaculate homes and very well groomed yards in addition to the many activities in which both participated. Ray and Harriett were also members of a square dance club and had lots of fun. He was a member of the church choir while living in Athena. When the family moved to La Grande, he was a choir member and director in several churches.

Ray had 57 wonderful years of marriage to Harriett with whom he shared many wonderful memories. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip of a lifetime to Europe. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Athena Baptist Church in 1995 with many friends and family in attendance. Ray loved his family and they will always love and miss him. He was always there for the good times and also for the bad. He was Harriett's caregiver, night and day, for many years so she could stay in their home. He was a man to be admired for all his dedication!

Survivors include her children, Ellen and Randy Blackman of La Grande and Thomas and Marolyn Blaylock of Beaverton, Oregon; sister, Shirlee Gaston of Pendleton; grandchildren, Tami Bentley of LaVerne, California, Scott Blaylock of Pasadena, California, Natalie Goodnight of La Grande and Sally Chilson of Spokane, Washington; great grandchildren, Tanna Goodnight of La Grande, Ryan Chilson of Spokane and Brooke Bentley of LaVerne, California; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death two grandchildren, Leah and Zachary Chilson.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Blaylock to the Qualicenters in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.