Ray E. Burlison, age 68 of Turtle Lake, ND died Friday, March 22nd, 2013 at his home.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake with Pastor George Schuessler officiating.

Ray was born on January 1, 1945 in Canton, OK to Grady & Margarite (Wahl) Burlison. He attended Canton Public Schools and was active in a variety of sports. At age 17, he joined the U.S. Air Force as a crash rescue fireman. While stationed at the Minot Air Force Base, he met Luella Knudtson. They were married on June 7, 1965 in Wichita, KS. Eventually settling in Minot, they owned and operated several businesses and raised two daughters. They moved to Washington state in 1978. Ray retired from The Boeing Company in 2001. In 2007, he and his wife Lu returned home to North Dakota and made their home in Turtle Lake.

Ray was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 753 of Minot. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed teaching his daughters and grandchildren how to fish (however, not to catch). Ray was a talented woodworker and made several treasured gifts for his loved ones. He was a proud member of the Masons and enjoyed participating in parades as part of the Motor Squadron in Kem and Nile Temples of the Shrine.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Luella Burlison of Turtle Lake; two daughters, Michelle Burlison of Puyallup, WA, & Raylene (Nick) Alred of Graham, WA; three grandchildren, Sierra, Jacob, & Alina Schleining of Graham, WA; one sister, Beth (Bill) Geiger of Longdale, OK; two brothers, Bob (Karen) Burlison of Hurst, TX, & Richard Burlison of Wichita, KS; and two beloved sidekicks, Ruby & Zoe (dogs).

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, one sister (Joann Nataanson), one brother (Vernon), and his sidekick dog Bingo.