Raymond James Tatarka

Raymond James Tatarka, 81, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 30, 2015. He was born on Jan. 31, 1934, in Thermopolis, Wyoming, to John and Rose (Sabol) Tatarka. Not long after he was born, the Tatarka Family moved to the Gallatin Valley where Ray attended Holy Rosary School graduating in 1953.

This is the time in Ray's life that he began a lifetime of working towards his retirement, a retirement that never did actually ever happen. One of his first jobs was working at the theaters in Bozeman. Ray was a permanent fixture at the Ellen and Rialto Theaters, and was Manager at the Starlite Drive-In every summer for quite a few years.

It was at the theaters that Ray met the love of his life, Carolyn Sievert. Carolyn and Ray were married Nov. 25, 1956, at Holy Rosary Parish in Bozeman. Together they raised four children, Jan, Rich, Mitch and Diane.

Not satisfied with having only one job at a time, he also worked at the Bon Ton Flour Mill for a while, then went to work for Northwest Freight, which later became Garrett Freight Lines. For several years, Ray would work a shift at Garrett from 4 'til noon, install fences for Sears 'til dinner time, and then be at the theaters 'til midnight. When he wasn't busy with that work schedule, he would be out at the dairy helping his brother, Bill Tatarka, building something for the dairy. After 20 years at Garrett, at a time in one's life when one should go fishing, Ray and Carolyn bought some land and started a dairy of their own. After years of the hard life that is associated with running a dairy, they decided to sell the cows and move on to something else. Ray then worked for the City of Bozeman mowing grass at Sunset Hills Cemetery, made biscuits at Hardees, worked for a mining supply company, and was one of the first employees of Lowes when they opened in Bozeman. But it wasn't until the tail end of his working life that he found two jobs that he absolutely loved. One was at Habitat For Humanity in Belgrade, and the other was Ditch Rider for the Farmers Canal. Ray worked these two jobs until he literally could no longer walk. His body might have retired, but he never did…

Ray dearly loved the outdoors and especially the Bridger Mountains. When he wasn't working, he was hunting, fishing and camping with Carolyn and his four children or chasing big game with his buddy, Den Pinczes. Ray made sure there was always plenty of elk steaks and fish in the freezer. Later on, when he was left to putter about out in his shop by himself, he kept himself busy making various things out of wood for his kids and his grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose; brothers, Tony, John and Bob; sisters, Rose Van Horn and Johanna Stanley; brothers-in-law, Jim Stanley, Don Tiano, Ed Currie, Elwin Kundert, Tom Harvey and Hank Van Horn.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; daughters, Jan (Mike) Peissig of Missoula, and Diane (Jess) Short of Belgrade; sons, Rich (Sheryl) of Bozeman, and Mitch (Kwinci) of Townsend; grandchildren, Tyson (Catie) Peissig and Troy (Serena) Peissig; Ross, Rachael and Becca Tatarka; James (Missy) Short, Nikki (Dave) Myers; and Tel and Cydney Perkins; and great-grandchildren, Hope, Joel and Levi Peissig; Riley and Olivia Short; and Ava and Nash Myers; sisters, Bette Currie of Seattle, Washington, Mary Tiano of Gardnerville, Nevada, Veronica (John) Vaught of Willington, Nevada; brother, William (Margie) of Bozeman; and sisters-in-law, Peg and Marge of Billings, Montana.

The family suggests that anyone considering donations in Ray's name consider the Habitat For Humanity, 230 Arden Dr., Belgrade, MT 59714 or Gallatin County Rest Home, 1221 Durston Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715.

Services for Ray will be held Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church in Bozeman. A luncheon will follow services in the basement of the church.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com