Raymond Edwin Reser

Ray Reser, (65), Walla Walla area farmer and sportsman, passed away July 28, 2023, at his home near Stateline, Umatilla County, Oregon. He was born December 1, 1957, to Edwin A. Reser and Lavonne C. (Smith) Reser, in Walla Walla. He attended local schools and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1977. He then began farming with his father on the family farm. A few years later, he purchased his own farm property in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, close to the family farm. In the following years, he bought and leased more farm property in the foothills of Walla Walla and Umatilla County.

Ray became an accomplished farmer working diligently to incorporate advanced technology and techniques into his practices. He took pride in his use of efficient soil fertility building no-till techniques and growing clean, high-production crops.

Ray was equally enthusiastic about his hobbies. In his early years, he became interested in motorcycles and soon competition. Ray began riding observed trials in his early teens with the Pacific Northwest Trials Association. He worked his way through the ranks achieving the level of an expert while still in high school. Ray became one of the association’s top riders and soon competed in National events featuring the nation’s most elite riders from the U.S. and Canada. He won many trophies and awards, seemingly too many to count.

Ray also enjoyed off-road four-wheeling and built many four-wheel drive rigs, one of which was featured in the popular Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off-Road magazine. Ray was also an avid stand-up jet skier. He loved to ride in the Columbia River and off the Oregon coast in the Pacific Ocean.

Ray was also an accomplished big-game trophy hunter with numerous hunting adventures in Alaska, Canada, the western U.S., and Mexico. He was practically fond of the northern reaches of Alberta, Canada, where he would spend many days far off the grid. Much like his motorcycling, he collected many trophies, which included Bighorn Sheep, elk, and bear, as well as cougar, wolf, and many others which adorned his home and beyond. Ray had a fun sense of humor, like wearing a mouthpiece with twisted and gnarled yellow/green and black teeth to dental hygienist appointments or a beautiful welcome mat on the front of his home with a boldly printed LEAVE.

Most importantly, Ray was a compassionate person who cared deeply about those close to him. He loved his mother, cared deeply about his friends, and had a very special place in his heart for his dogs, Tovie and Lili.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin A. Reser, and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his mother, Lavonne Reser; brothers, Byron G. Reser and William D. (Shawn) Reser; and nephews, Matt and Ben Reser; Aunt Shari (Smith) Richmond, all of Walla Walla; as well as many cousins. Ray will be missed by many. May God bless him with peace and rest.

The family would like to thank his close friends, Steve Riggle and Craig Reeder, Craig and Mindy Nelson, friends and neighbors, long-time friend, Kathy Hassler and his doctor and close friend, Dr. Robert Morasch, for all their help in his time of need.

There be a private burial at Mountain View Cemetery. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Blue Mountain Humane Society, or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.