Ray Oban passed away June 3, 2008, at his home in Oak Harbor. He was born Nov. 29, 1934, in Long Beach, Calif., to Arthur and Frances Oban. He was the second of three children.

His father, a career Navy officer, moved the family often. Ray attended 19 different schools growing up.

In 1952, Ray joined the U.S. Navy where he worked on his passions of cooking and baking. He served in the Korean War and was discharged in 1955.

He married the love of his life, Arlene Miller, who he lovingly called Dux. Together Ray and Arlene raised seven wonderful children.

During these years, every Saturday night, they made tacos for dinner. There was always enough food so that the kids could invite a friend or two to dinner without asking. Tacos were not generally known in Kirkland in the 1960s and 1970s, so Ray introduced them to many people for the first time. Tacos have always remained a family favorite. They don’t just mean a meal, they mean a meal with the family.

Ray spent the majority of his working life as the “Telephone Man” for General Telephone. He retired after 32 years.

He made many friends in the phone company. He was always bringing new co-workers home to dinner, sometimes without advanced warning to Arlene.

Good thing she was a good sport!

Ray taught the kids to camp, snow ski, water ski, shoot rifles, spit, goof off, drive, work on cars, drive fast, appreciate family, appreciate “old stuff,” and to get into trouble.

Thankfully, Arlene helped get the kids out of hot water. “Don’t tell Dad” was whispered often growing up.

During the years working hard and raising kids, they realized one of his life dreams – owning a boat.

He and Arlene started docking their succession of boats in Oak Harbor. First came “Easy Lovin,” and then “Avast.”

Eventually they sold the house and moved aboard the Avast full time. Looking back, the kids aren’t sure if they didn’t use the boat in Oak Harbor as a getaway from the kids. Several memorable family vacations were taken throughout Puget Sound and up into Canada.

With retirement in 1988, Ray and Arlene sold the boat and moved to Whidbey Island full time.

They also purchased a new Ford truck and travel trailer to see the U.S. and Canada. They eventually drove through all the lower 48 and most of Canada visiting and discovering family and making new friends.

Ray had a love of Dutch oven cooking and entertained friends and neighbors with his excellent creations.

In more recent years Ray joined the Whidbey Cruzers car club, where he focused on cars, another one of his other passions. He was a good friend to the members and participated in most every function put on by the club. He could be seen in parades either carrying dignitaries in his 1946 Ford or just supporting the club with his 1927 Model T hot rod.

Ray is survived by his sons Dan, Dean, Scott, Doug and John, daughters Lee and Tracy, along with granddaughters Sara, McKenzie, Amber and grandsons Jacob, John, James and Dane, and great grandchildren Jadan and Kai.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge on Thursday, June 12, at 4 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.