Raymond Arthur Compton

Raymond Arthur Compton, 82, of Gillette, WY passed away at Campbell County Health on October 30, 2025 with family and friends by his side. Ray was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, the 5th of 11 children. The family moved extensively throughout Montana as work was available. He moved out of the house when he was 14, getting his own apartment in town and got a job as a mechanic. Ray moved to Gillette in 1962 with his first wife Judy and 2-month-old daughter Roxy and went to work for Leon’s Repair – and so his mechanic and welding careers began. A son, Keith, was born two years later. As the years went by his mechanic abilities and welding fabrication reputation became well known. He continued to work at Leon’s for years. Ray, along with Frank Ford, purchased the business and it became known as C&F Repair, which to this day is still in business and still with the slogan “If we can’t fix it, It ain’t broke”. A suggestion was made in the 70’s to build a racecar - and so his racing career began. Along with Rex Gelok, Frank Ford, Jim Scott and numerous others, many a racecar was built in the shop. Ray became a Wyoming Stockcar Champion many times and was a feared competitor on the track with the “Ol’ 97” becoming a legend that is still talked about today. It became his true passion, and he would build many engines for other racers. Members of the family would become racers from his son-in-law Jerry to granddaughter Vanessa, to stepson Adam.

Eventually Ray sold his portion of C&F and went to work at various coal mines including Rio Tinto, Cordero and Antelope - and so his big equipment mechanic/welding career began. He was well known in the mining industry throughout the Power River Basin as the go-to guy that could fix anything and make anything run. He retired in 2011.

Along the way, he met and married his soulmate Linda and became a part of her children, Amy and Adam’s life. He built a shop behind the house - and so his next phase of mechanic and welding adventures began. He would keep building hot rod engines and fabricating many art pieces and became known as the Carburetor expert. He also continued building racecars and was always helping racers with his advice (asked for or not) on what gears to use, jets, fuel, weight balance, tires, etc. One of Ray’s greatest accomplishments was to finish building his ’38 Chevy Coupe last year. It’s a beauty!

Over the years, through C&F, with the building of racecars and growing families, there were many kids whose childhoods were formed there and became like his own. Many friendships were established throughout Ray’s years of work that remain intact, becoming true friends who supported Ray through good and bad times that he was forever grateful for. Shout out to his lifelong friend Frank Manglos.

Ray and family are truly thankful for the wonderful medical care he received over the last few months from Dr. Sairav Shah, Dr. Eric Sawyers and Dr. Leslie McLean along with their staff and the staff of the Radiology, Laboratory, Infusion Center and Nursing Departments.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 9 of his 10 siblings, son-in-law Jerry Hathaway and grandson Jeremy Hathaway.

He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Roxanna Rae Hathaway, son Keith Leon Compton (Wendy), Step-Daughter Amy Smith (Wyatt), Step-Son Adam Konrad (Casie), 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A gathering of friends and family will be held Wednesday November 5, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Memorial service for Ray will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday November 6, 2025 at Journey Church with luncheon to follow. Inurnment at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery at 3:00 PM. You are welcome to wear your Carhartt Shirt or favorite Racing shirt as that was Ray’s style.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or National Kidney Foundation.

Let’s Go Racing.