Blair native Ray Hooks died Sept. 2, 2006.

He was born Dec. 9, 1919, on a farm near Blair and moved to Tucson, Ariz., in 1947. He worked as a salesman, but spent his happiest retirement years gardening, fishing, woodworking and caring for his two dogs. His greatest joy was helping grandchildren learn to fish and helping neighbors and friends with all manner of repairs. He came to everyone's aid and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Jill Bemis and Brint Milward, and Mary and Jeff Abrahamson; four grandchilren; two great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Leo and Loraine Hooks of Lyons; sister and brother-in-law, Margie and Jim Perry of Port Charlotte, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Gladys.

Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society.

(A place of interment was not given in this article; however, the website Find-A-Grave listed a columbarian in Tucson, Arizona as his place of burial.)

See Find-A-Grave, Memorial 23091462