In Loving Memory

Raymond David Melby

Raymond Melby, longtime Colville resident and business owner passed away January 1, 2023 at the age of 86, after a gradual decline in health. He was laid to rest at a graveside service with family at Mountain View Cemetery in Colville. He will be remembered for his love of storytelling, sense of humor, honesty, generosity and commitment to hard work.

Ray was born to Benjamin and Katherine "Kate" (Stogren) Melby in old Marcus, WA on February 5, 1936. With his father in mining, the family moved frequently. His youth was spent in Marble, WA, Kettle Falls, WA and Salmon, ID, where he and his siblings got into as much mischief as they could with limited resources and big imaginations. Whether it was making and testing his first bomb in chemistry class or pretending to be a cop and accidentally pulling over the sheriff's wife, he was resourceful.

Ray attended High School in Northport where he and friend Sock Johnson alternated between fixing up, wrecking and racing old cars. It was in 1954, while working on a green '37 Ford, that friends introduced him to Bonnie West. Although he never even came out from under the hood, a year later they were married. They would go on to celebrate 67 years of marriage!

In his younger days, Ray worked as part of the dynamite crew at the Van Stone Mine. Over the years he continued to dabble with explosives, resulting in many extraordinarily loud fireworks.

In the early 60's Ray bought his first business, the Shell Service Station, where he spent long hours pumping gas (at 27 cents a gallon) and repairing cars. His schemes for drumming up business included offering free coffee, installing Colville's first commercial ice machine and becoming the town's first Volkswagen mechanic.

At the same time, Ray and Bonnie also owned and operated the A&W Drive Inn. In addition to having carhops, burgers, and root beer (we know you still have the mugs), they introduced pizza and tacos to the community.

He eventually sold both businesses and moved into construction as a rep for Apollo modular buildings in Chewelah. But it didn't take long for Ray to launch his own business. In 1971 he started Melby Construction Company. Over the decades that followed he built and remodeled many custom homes, offices and businesses in the area including the Grace Evangelical Free Church, R.E. Lee Hardware, Colville Library, and Northeast Tri County Health, among others. He was also active in the Assembly of God Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday school.

In his "spare time" Ray and his wife raised Arabian horses. Starting with a few horses they grew the herd to 22, which were ridden and shown by daughter Julie. He enjoyed camping, hunting, snowmobiling and giving advice to grandson Cody. As well as traveling to Alaska to visit daughter Tina and son-in-law Rich, which inspired many a tall tale about fishing the last frontier. But his favorite destination was the Kettle River where he built a waterfront cabin and spent many peaceful hours with family.

Ray also loved having coffee with friends and sharing his mostly-true stories and jokes. In fact, all who came in contact with Ray will undoubtedly remember his wit, his smile and his abundant sense of humor. He will be missed by many.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Katherine Melby and brothers Robert, James and Harry Melby. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Melby; daughters Tina (Rich) Lindgren, Colville and Julie Melby, Colville; sister Margaret (Jack) Marinac, Westminster, CO; brother George "Mike" (Vickie) Melby, Colville; grandson, Cody (Dusti) Melby, Boyds; three great grandsons, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of your choice.  Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com . Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.