Francis Logan

Francis Raymond Logan (Ray) passed away at St. John's Fischer Cottage on January 29, 2012 on his 93rd birthday. He was born to Ed and Lillian Logan on January 29, 1919 in Fishtail, Montana. He was a great one for entertaining everyone with tales of his life. Ray graduated from Columbus High School in 1938. Ray often told tales of growing up during the Depression. Many tales involved swimming in the Yellowstone River or rabbit hunting for dinner in the hills. Ray earned a two year teaching certificate and taught one year in a country school near Cody, Wyoming before enlisting in the Navy. He was a Chief Electrician's Mate in the Navy serving the majority of his time on the USS Haynes, an escort destroyer. He was in Hiroshima ten days after the bomb was dropped and told of the massive devastation. After the war, Ray completed his degree in Elementary Education. He ran Logan Grocery on Montana Avenue with his mother while working as a construction electrician at what is now Exxon Refinery. Ray's Naval Reserve unit was called to active duty in Korea. He met Lois Coffin in San Francisco and they were married in Old St. Mary's Church on October 6, 1951 after Ray's return from duty. Ray and Lois returned to Billings where Ray went to work at the refinery for Carter Oil as an electrician where he worked until his retirement from Exxon Refinery in 1980. Ray and Lois built a home above North Park where they raised their children, Carl, Ed and Mary. A fourth daughter, Virginia, was born with Down Syndrome and lives in a group home. Ray was active in both Boy and Girl Scouting with his children. He was an active member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Worker's union. He was a long time member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church's Holy Name Society. He also enjoyed volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul fixing small appliances. Ray was a staunch Democrat and shortly after meeting someone new would ask, “Are you a Democrat?” If someone answered “No”, he would still value the friendship, but lively conversations ensued. To Ray, there were no strangers, just friends he hadn't met. Ray enjoyed taking the family fishing and camping on the Boulder River. After his retirement, Ray fished the Big Horn River every Wednesday for a number of years. Ice cream, watermelon and root beer floats were always a hit with Ray. No picnic was complete without one of these. Going ahead of Ray were his wife, Lois, his three sisters, Bernice Lesnik, Jean Gullett and Claire Smith, and his older brother Luke who was killed in WWII. Also predeceasing Ray was his grandson, Jeff Logan. Ray is survived by two sons, Carl Logan and his wife Vonnie of Amery, WI and Ed Logan and his wife Lee Ann of Billings, and two daughters, Mary Graden and her husband Clint of Moscow, ID, and Virginia Logan of Glendive and a special niece Kathie Dupay and her husband Dave of Stillwater, MN. Ray is also survived by 3 grandsons, four granddaughters, five great-grandsons and five great-granddaughters, numerous nieces and nephews and special neighbors, Zach and Susan Cooper and their children. Memorials may be made to the St. John's Lutheran Foundation, attention the Activities Department, 3940 Rimrock Road, Billings, MT 59102. The family wishes to thank all the staff and residents of St. John's Lutheran homes who made Ray's final years enjoyable and memorable. We already miss you Grandpa Ray! Happy 93rd! Service: Vigil Services will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 12:00 noon Friday at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral. Committal will be in Rosebud Cemetery in Absarokee.