Raymond C. Elp's Obituary
Raymond Elp was born in Tacoma, Washington on September 9, 1920 and died March 2, 2007 at home, after living in Tacoma and Puyallup his entire life.He was preceded in death by his wife Mabel after more than 60 years of Marriage, parents Frank and Anna Elp, three brothers, three sisters and grandson Robert Bjork, son-in-law James Blake.He is survived by son Jack Bjork (Virginia), daughter Betty Blake, 6 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.Ray and Mabel traveled with the Timberline Trailer Club for years with friends, making more friends everywhere they went.Many years were spent dining with friends at the Old Country Buffet on South Hill and in Federal Way.He was a member of the Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 for 48 years; His highlight in golf was a hole-in-one on the Elks golf course.Ray was proud to be a member of the Carpenters Union for over 60 years. He and co-workers used to enjoy lunch sitting on top of one of the towers of the Narrows Bridge which was completed in 1950. He commented Â"we didnÂ't have safety cages to work in like they do on the bridge today.Â"Ray proudly served in World War II, stationed in India with the Chemical Unit of the then Army Air Corp.The last 27 years were spent living in downtown Puyallup where he was known throughout the area as the Â"walker with the beige tousle hatÂ" he walked at least five miles every morning and three miles every evening rain or shine. There was not a thing happening in the area he did not have knowledge of. The family thanks Good Samaritan Hospice Program for the wonderful care and compassion.
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