Raymond Sabala

1938 - 2025

Raymond Sabala

March 17, 1938 - June 9, 2025

The family of Raymond Sabala, Twin Falls, Idaho announces his passing on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the age of 87.

Ray will forever be cherished by family and friends for his love of people and life, bold faith in God, common sense business savvy, forward thinking, athleticism, and words of wisdom.

Born March 17, 1938 to Augustine and Claudia Sabala in Gooding, Idaho. He attended school there until graduating from Gooding High in 1956, and was active on the family farm. He was recruited to play basketball and attended Gonzaga University, Spokane Washington, proudly sporting number 25 for the University's Bulldog Basketball team, having unwavering loyalty to the university and team throughout his life. Ray served in the US Army, serving as a tank operator. He explored more college life at the University of Colorado and Idaho State University where he mastered the skills of welding and teaching. There, he met Barbara Ann Meyers, of Boise, Idaho, whom he wed on September 15, 1963.

After working as a highly skilled submarine welder at the Westinghouse nuclear facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho they moved to Twin Falls, Idaho to raise their family. Ray joined the College of Southern Idaho, as one of the first Welding Instructors for the college. Many of his students remained in contact over the years since he had a unique way of inspiring people to be their best.

He was ambitious and obtained his real estate license, and got started selling homes at Gem State Realty. That would lead to a long and rewarding professional life being a broker in residential, farm and commercial real estate and development throughout the Magic Valley. He co-owned Sabala & Roy Realty, and then went on to founding and operating Sabala Realty for many years, and concluded his career at Canyonside Irwin Realty at age 75.

Ray and Barbara were married for 40 wonderful years and were very active in sharing their faith in God at St Edwards Catholic church, First Assembly of God, and Amazing Grace church. Together they were extremely active in the area helping others and leading various efforts to make their city better before her passing in February 2004. Ray continued to give back to the community, supporting local charities, leading the full gospel men's breakfasts, being a proud member of the Kiwanis Club, and enjoying his coffee clubs with friends every week.

On July 8, 2006, Ray married Arlene Townsend. They were happily married for 19 years, enjoyed going to concerts, basketball games and relaxing at the beach together. They valued participating in their church family activities at the Twin Falls Reformed Church.

Ray is preceded in death by: his father, Augustine Sabala; mother, Claudia (Ascuena) Sabala; brothers, Frank Sabala and Dean Sabala; wife, Barbara Ann (Meyers) Sabala; and youngest daughter, Danielle Sabala. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Sabala; children, Tracy (Randal) Hernandez, Craig (Bonnie) Sabala and Regina Sabala Lawrence; brothers, Martin (Nick) and John Sabala; and sister, Julia (Sabala) Spackman; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of who he loved, cherished, coached and counseled, literally until hours before being called home to heaven.

Celebration services will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 2 p.m., at the Twin Falls Reformed Church, followed by burial services at Gooding Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Family and friends are then invited to gather at the Gooding Basque Center for a dinner to be served, and stories to be shared beginning at 5:30 p.m., in celebration of Ray's life.