At the Trout Farm south of Prairie City, Ray Rasmussen was delighted to catch this fish.

JOHN DAY – Raymond “Ray” Rasmussen celebrated his 99th birthday Sept. 23. Three of his six children were here to help celebrate the big day – Flora Cheadle of Mt. Vernon, Floyd Rasmussen of Portland, and Norm Rasmussen and his wife, Kathleen, who came from Grand Rapids, Mich. Children unable to attend include son Dale Rasmussen of Redmond and daughters Lenora Healy of Fillmore, Utah, and Yvonne Fischer of Salem.

Ray was born at Antigo, Wis., and in his mid-20s headed west on a big adventure. He married Edna Roby on Aug. 9, 1941, in Pendleton. The couple raised their family at Fox, Long Creek and lived at Bates from 1951-76 while Ray was employed with Hines Lumber Co. They lived at Prairie City for a couple of years before relocating at Bend. Edna passed on in 1997. Ray moved back to Eastern Oregon in 1998.

He loves the outdoors and still enjoys family outings around Grant County. In his earlier years, he was an elk hunter. Another passion was cribbage, which he learned at the logging camps in Wisconsin and Michigan. He continued to hone his cribbage-playing skills well into his 90s and was frequently the champion player in Central Oregon Grass Roots tournaments.

Friends are invited to stop in and see Ray at Canyon Creek Guest Home, where he may share a story or two about Bates, elk hunting or perhaps will challenge someone to a cribbage game.