Raymond Arthur Gabelein

Raymond Arthur Gabelein

Raymond Arthur Gabelein died peacefully surrounded by family December 14, 2003 on Whidbey Island.
He was born on April 24, 1925 on the family's Bayview farm on South Whidbey. Raymond started farming and logging at an early age. He attended Bayview School and graduated from Langley High School in 1943. He maried his high school sweetheart, Eva Mae Smith, in 1947. Raymond and Eva Mae had five children and helped many other young people that they considered part of the family. Raymond enjoyed playing Town Team baseball for the South Whidbey Athletic Club. He and Eva Mae spent many Saturday nights dancing and socializing with friends at the Freeland Hall, Clinton Progressive Hall and the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club. He and Eva Mae became loyal Mariner fans and loved listening and watching the broadcasts. In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. His many friends would stop by the farm to hear his many stories and repeated jokes.
Raymond enjoyed working the farm his entire life. He was also one of the early loggers on Whidbey Island. His biggest passion other than farm and family was hunting with his family and friends throughout Washington, Albert Canada, Idaho and Montana. His many contributions to the South Whidbey Community include he and Eva Mae founding and leading the South Whidbey Centaurs Horse 4-H Club, many years of service to the Island County Fair, where they were honored as Grand Marshals and the Antique Barn was named for him. He served as South Whidbey School Board Director, volunteered many years as an Island County District 1 Diking and Drainage Commissioner, managed and coordinated Teen dances at the Bayview Community Hall, Proprietary Member and Easter Egg Hunt Coordinator and President of the Holmes Harbor and Rod and Gun Club, Bayview Cemetery Board member and a proud member of the National Rifle Association. He was a strong advocate for private property rights involving land use issues. He was also instrumental in the preservation of the Bayview School and Bayview Community Hall.
He is survived by his devoted companion and wife of 56 years, Eva Mae; children, Gary (Janie) Gabelein, Bonnie (Michael) Altenburg, Ray E. (Laurie) Gabelein, Albert (Lori) Gabelein, and Sandy (Rob) Marshall; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister Tillie Hansen of Coure d'Alene, ID; and numerous sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 20th at 11:00am at South Whidbey Assembly of God, followed by a graveside service at Bayview Cemetery and a celebration of Raymond's life at the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club.
In his memory, the Raymond A. Gabelein Scholarship Fund has been established at South Whidbey High School, c/o any South Whidbey Branch of Whidbey Island Bank.
Arrangements by Visser Funeral Home, Langley.