Raymond W. Steele
Ray Steele died on Thursday August 13th at his home with his family gathered around him after losing his battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. He is surivived by his daughter Shannyn Steele of Denver, his son and daughter-in-law Shahn and Pam Steele of Bozeman, his grandchildren Carrson, Lauren, and Christian. His wife Patricia and her children, Heather Mullins of Great Falls and John McGillis of Houston, TX and his three brothers Robert, Rodger and Richard Steele.
Ray was born October 25, 1938 in Charles City Iowa to Raymond Charles and Myrtle Symen Steele. He moved in 1944 with his family to Cambridge, Minnesota where he attended primary school in a one-room schoolhouse and later graduated from Cambridge High School in 1956.
Ray served two years in the Sixth Honor Guard of the Army and did a tour in Korea. Upon returning to the US he married Carol Perry on New Years Eve 1960 and returned to school at St. Cloud State where he graduated with a degree in Arts and Drama. The couple moved to Great Falls Montana in 1964 where Ray taught at West Jr. High and C.M. Russell High School. During his teaching career Ray started his own business Contemporary Ideas and was commissioned to build doors, light fixtures, cabinets and other custom pieces for families and businesses. Ray also showed his art at many art exhibitions around Montana and was invited to display his work at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.
Ray left teaching in 1969 to become the director of the CM Russell Museum. Over the next twenty years he led the museum through many changes and growth until his retirement in 1989. Ray married Patricia McGillis in May 1988 and they soon moved to Polson to reside on Flathead Lake where they lived at the time of his death. During his years of retirement Ray became and avid gardener. He worked hard through the summer and fall to harvest and preserve the fruits of his labors. Ray Kept active in the art world by appraising western art and opening a small gallery in Big Fork.
Through his life Ray belonged to many organizations including the Archey Bray Foundation, Charlie Russell Riders, and was the Chairman of the Institute of Arts in Great Falls. Ray also sat on the council of College of Fine Arts and Museum of Culture and Arts at the University of Montana.
Ray was a very talented and creative artist who spent his life bringing art and beauty to the people and communities in which he lived.
A memorial service will be held Friday August 21, 2009 at Christ United Methodist Church, 2900- 9th Ave. South, Great Falls, at 10:30 in the morning with a reception to follow at the Meadow Lark Country Club. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the CM Russell Museum of Great Falls, or Montana Museum of Culture and Arts at the University of Montana. Condolences may be sent to his daughter Shannyn Steele at 2100 4th Ave. North Great Falls, Montana 59401. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
It was a pleasure to have worked with Ray and called him friend. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with all his loved ones.
I am so sorry to hear of Ray’s death. I lived in Polson several years ago, and knew Ray and Pat quite well. They were alway gracious hosts at their beautiful home on the lake.
Mimi, I think of you often and hope you are doing well.
We are so sorry to hear of Ray’s death.
So very young comparing to some of us.
Ray was always a pleasure to have in our
Young People’s group.
Many fond memories!
We fondly remember our time with Ray and Pat building their dream home on Flathead Lake. Ray was involved in most every detail and phase of the construction and everyone who worked on the home has great memories of Ray and his woodshop. When Pat and Ray sold their home in Great Falls and began the packing and moving process I started working for them. I spent nights in Great Falls hepling with the packing and heard so many wonderful stories about their past thru helping setting up the new home. Later, helping to pack and unpack for the trips to Mexico was always another round of great stories. Pat and Ray both took us into their lives in a very personal way. As I’m sure many do, we regret letting time take it’s toll on that special reletionship and not keeping up with visits to SkiDoo Bay. Shannyn and Shahn, It was truly an honor to have shared some time with your Father. I will miss his way. Our prayers to Mimi.
Ray was a truly great man. My fondest memories are of him as one of my teachers at CM Russell HS. He sparked an interest in art for me that continues to this day. During his tenure at the CM Russell Museum, he always made time for me to stop by and visit. His encouragement was always present. Hopefully, your family memories of this wonderful man will bring a smile to your face during this terrible time of loss. His memory will live on through all of us whom he touched.
Ray Steele was one of the nicest people I ever worked with while I was associated with the Biltmore Galleries. Always a gentleman, always fair minded and his dry wit most appreciated. He loved the Museum and what it came to be and Western Art. A fine man in many ways who really did make a difference.