Raymond Stanley Hull
October 7, 1928 – December 13, 2014
Ray Hull was born and raised in Rolla, BC. For most of his life, Ray worked in trucking and pipelining, eventually moving into very senior purchasing positions in the oil & gas industry, building refineries and petrochemical plants. He worked at Alberta Natural Gas in Cranbrook during the 1960s. He moved to Oliver in 1991 with his wife when they retired.
Ray loved his family. Work took them all across BC and Alberta. When they were able to settle down for a few years at a time, he was happy to be home with wife, Beryl and their growing family of 4. When his children were little he liked to sit them on his knee and read softly to them. He, himself was renowned as a natural born story-teller and writer. As he grew older he spent many long hours writing and researching for his short stories. The extended family and friends loved to receive them! Ray could quote poetry, too – some of the classics. Later in life, he loved to listen to audiobooks. He played guitar and piano.
The family moved to Cranbrook in the early 1960’s for 4½ years. While here, Ray was actively involved in organizing the Cranbrook branch of the Legion. He was one of the original members of the Cranbrook Rod & Gun Club. Ray was an avid hunter and could tell great stories of adventures in the back woods. Hunting season fed the family and brought him great friendships. He loved to explore and new every nook and cranny - every back road wherever he lived or travelled. The Cranbrook years were wonderful. His kids remember he made a skating rink in the back yard for them each winter. He took the family ice-fishing, boating, swimming and camping and taught them to love the outdoors. In Cranbrook, Ray was also an auxiliary RCMP officer. Over all of these years, he kept contact with a couple of dear, dear friends here Colin Anderson and Ken McLean and his cousin, Ray Osborne.
Raymond Stanley Hull has passed at 86 years of age. He is predeceased by his wife, Beryl Marguerite (Loeppky) Hull, son, David Clayton Hull. He is survived by daughters Linda Hull Thoms; Susan Hull Shendaruk and, Melodie Hull (in Cranbrook). He leaves 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
A big man, a big personality; a great person to know.
Saddle up and ride, Ray. You are going home.
At his request, after a service, Ray‘s ashes were scattered at the Oliver Cemetery where he joined his wife and son. He will be sorely missed by all that love him.
In lieu of flowers, Ray asks that a contribution be made to the Melodie Hull Mental Health & Addictions Endowment Fund a registered charity with the Cranbrook Community Foundation www.cranbrookcf.ca Box 242, Cranbrook, BC, Canada, V1C 4H8.