Ray Quist

Ray John Quist, 95, of Bozeman, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2012. He was born June 22, 1916 in Forsyth, MT to Charles A. and Amanda E. (Carlson) Quist. He moved to Bozeman with his family in 1925 when he was 9 years old. Ray graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1936. He attended Montana State College where he studied mechanical engineering, and worked with his father as a carpenter building numerous homes on the south side of Bozeman. Ray joined the US Army Air Corp on October 15, 1940. He served as an aircraft inspector for the B-17 Flying Fortresses in North Africa attaining the rank of Master Sargent and then attended Officer Candidate School in Miami, Florida in April 1944 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on October 14, 1945. After his discharge from active duty on November 8, 1945, he served in the US Air Force Reserve until retiring June 21, 1976 at the rank of Major. Ray married his high school sweetheart Georgetta Henry on May 16, 1941. After the war, Ray made his career in the farm implement business where he worked in parts and service for several decades. He became well known to many farmers and ranchers of the day in the Gallatin Valley and all over southwest Montana. Georgetta passed away in 1979. In 1983, Ray married Darlene Johnson Huckert Humbert. Together, they enjoyed almost twenty years of retirement in their beloved home in Springhill. Darlene passed away in 2002. Ray loved to tinker in his shop on just about anything that was mechanical and especially anything that had wheels and an engine. He loved the beauty of Montana and was able to enjoy a long rich retirement filled with constant tinkering, gardening, trapping gophers, some fly fishing, hiking and just enjoying the wildlife and mountains surrounding his home in the Springhill area. He was preceded in death by his wives, a brother and 2 sisters. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law Steve and Nancy Quist of Bozeman; 2 granddaughters and their husbands, Amanda Quist and Gabriel Lawrence of San Diego, CA, Allison and Dave Geisler of Novato, CA, 5 great grandchildren; 2 stepsons, John and Tony Huckert; many step grandchildren and great grandchildren. A private interment will be held, with a celebration of Ray's life will be scheduled at a later date. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com The family wishes to thank the staff at Elsie's Assisted Living for their kind and loving care during the last months of Ray's life.