Raymond Andrew Aardall

Raymond Andrew Aardal, 83, of Grants Pass passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife Elsie by his side on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, at Royale Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center. At his request, there will be no service. As a veteran, he will be interred at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Mr. Aardal was born in Starkweather, N.D., on Dec. 17, 1926, son of Daniel and Mabel Olson Aardal. The family later moved to Amarillo, Texas, where he graduated from high school. Ray served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Shirley Kuecks on Sept. 13, 1949, and together they had three children. He spent many seasons as an Alaskan commercial fishing boat captain, received a BA in economics and business from the University of Washington in 1953, and later established a CPA business in Bremerton, Wash. Ray also owned the popular Hearthstone Restaurant and was a former chairman of the Washington State Department of Transportation and Kitsap County commissioner. Mr. Aardal gave back to the community as a leading member of Kiwanis, Rotary, and Washington State Restaurant Association, and helped political candidates with their campaigns. Ray married Elsie Gascon Williams on Oct. 17, 1998, and the couple retired to Grants Pass. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Oliver, Earl, Bert and Wes Aardal; and sister, Donna Titus. Ray is survived by his wife, Elsie of Grants Pass; sister, Bernadean Hanson of Hood River; daughter, Tana Aardal and her husband Gary Badt; son, Mark Aardal; son, Cole Aardal and his wife Laurie; grandchildren, Hana, Kyle and Cole Aardal; stepdaughter, Stacy Dungey; and numerous nieces and nephews.