Raymond William Rapien passed away peacefully September 25th, 2024, at the age of 98. He lived a remarkable full life and was fortunate to have lived it out healthy to the very end.

He was born August 6th, 1926. He was adopted by Christopher and Alma Rapien and raised in Didsbury, Alberta.

Ray is predeceased by his parents, his wife Gladys, and his son Rodney.

Ray, married Gladys Kobylka October 3rd, 1953. They had 3 children – Randy Rapien (wife – Debbie, daughter – Jerilyn, granddaughter – Jayla), Rodney Rapien, and Loriann McLachlan (husband – Terry, sons – Dustin and Dana, granddaughters – Alexis and Trinity).

Ray tried many things in his life: tank cleaning business, service station, 20 years with IOL pipelines, oilfield inspections.

Ray enjoyed many sports, travel, reading, walking, hiking, entertaining and was also a thrill seeker. He loved skiing, golf, curling, outdoor shuffleboard, read extensively on all topics. Ray walked almost every day of his life. For excitement he owned and flew his own airplane, skin dived in many destinations worldwide and was quite a hiker one of his main feats being the Grand Canyon. Ray and Gladys travelled the world by cruising and destination Tours. Ray with his wife Gladys by his side also loved to entertain, his door was always open. Ray could fix almost everything; he loved mechanics and tinkering. His greatest joy was spending time at his property at Smoky Lake, Alberta with Gladys, working on his many projects.

Ray lived in Devon, Alberta with his young family and worked for Imperial Oil. They later moved to Slave Lake, where he continued his job in the oilfield. Then they moved to Bon Accord, Alberta where he owned and operated an Esso service station. When he sold the service station Ray & Gladys moved to Morinville, Alberta and Ray did oilfield inspections. After deciding it was time to get out of a house they moved to St. Albert, Alberta and moved into an adult condominium complex. They spent 26 winters in Desert Hot Springs, California and continued travelling around the world. They stayed in St. Albert until Gladys became ill and then they moved to a facility in Sherwood Park where Gladys could get the care she needed. They were able to get a 2-bedroom unit so Ray could be with Gladys until she passed. Ray, then moved to a senior’s complex in Sherwood Park, Alberta which would be his last home.

Ray lived by his own code and liked to be the life of the party.