Raymond A. Rooney, 75, formerly of Washburn, ND died August 20, 2014 in Aurora, CO. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Friday, August 29, 2014 at St. Edwin's Catholic Church, Washburn with Fr. Patrick Cunningham and Deacon Keith Due officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Washburn. Visitation will be held one hour before the services on Friday at the church.

Ray was born April 18, 1939 in Buffalo, ND, the third child of Vincent and Anna (Gurski) Rooney. The family moved to the Alexandria, MN area when he was a young boy. He joined the Army at the age of 17 and served one term before returning to Alexandria. Ray met Sherrin Winn and they were married on June 25, 1962. The couple made their home, raising their five children, in Alexandria until 1981. Ray was a skilled surveyor and an exceptional drafter who created beautiful maps. His growing career and impressive reputation in the industry created a high demand for his skills that took him and his family to North Dakota, Arizona, Colorado, California and Washington until his retirement in 2005. 2008 brought Ray back to Colorado to spend his retirement days near his children and grandchildren. Ray lived a full life centered on work and family. His hobbies included racing stock cars as #39 and later go-kart racing involving the entire family. He loved being the flagman with his son beside him and helping his daughter race. Ray had an amazing imagination and sense of humor, creating the story of the Oop bird that will live on as family folklore for generations to come. Ray also loved to build remote control airplanes and spent hours perfecting the details. He was a fan of sports and enjoyed watching football and NASCAR with friends, children and grandchildren throughout the years.

Ray will be remembered as a wonderful husband and father. His wife, Sherrin, of 52 years along with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will forever cherish him.

He is survived by his Wife, Sherrin (Winn) Rooney; four daughters: Stacey Rooney, Brenda Kuzniar, Amanda (Thomas) Melnyk, Myra (Kurt) Emery; three brothers: Ed (Kay) Rooney; Bernard (Sandy) Rooney, Rich Rooney; two sisters: Elizabeth Mercer and Patricia (Al) Naticchioni; fifteen grandchildren: Anthony and Dominic Rooney; Danielle (Michael) Kimmel, Derek (Josh) Gardner, Alicia (Bryan) Krantz, and Kayla Kuzniar; Stephanie (Lee) Joseph, Cody Czaikowski, Bryanna and Dawson Kelley, and Gregor Melnyk; Elizabeth (Chris) Cronsell, Kaitlyn Rooney-Emery, Zane Emery, Tristan Emery; five great-grandchildren: Hailey Krantz, Teonta Joseph, Kareem Joseph, Omari Joseph and Azalia Joseph

He was preceded in death by a son, Nathan Winn Rooney, and his parents, Vincent and Anna (Gurski) Rooney.