Raymond Paul Thuemler
December 21, 1927 - October 14, 2012
Ray Thuemler passed away peacefully at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, California.
He was born December 21, 1927 to Elder T. L. Thuemler and Carlena Johanna Huetter in Medford, Oregon.
As a boy, Ray moved frequently while his father pastored a number of Seventh-Day Adventist churches in Oregon and California.
He met and married "his girl", Judith Diana Sondergard in Crescent City in 1947. They were married 53 years.
Ray is remembered for his love of building (with the blue prints in his head). There were swing sets, tree forts, a ski boat and water skis. He constructed one of the first houseboats to float on Shasta Lake with his son, Steve, in the back yard of their home on Breen Street. Family vacations at Shasta every year continue the tradition he began.
His children and grandchildren remember him as a big man with the softest heart. He loved his family and his many nieces and nephews unconditionally.
Surviving are his daughter, Diana Dale Sheffield and husband Lonny of Jefferson, Oregon; son, Stephen Ray Thuemler and wife Susan of Crescent City; five grandchildren, Jonathan Steven Vipond, Teresa ReNae Sanchez, Erik Neubert Vipond, Cristy Louise Levannier, Sheldon Ray Thuemler; and eight great-grandchildren, Alex, Isabel, Sofia, Sam, Ethan, Abilgale, Kylie and Dylan.
Ray's last years were enriched by his travels with nephew Jerry Watts and a special friendship with Merle Jones.
The family would like to extend thanks to Dr. Richard Sacks-Wilner and all the staff at Sutter Coast Hospital who cared so much for Dad this past year.