Raymond “Old Ray” Boulds

Raymond “Old Ray” Boulds, age 86, of Poplar, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, MT. Ray was born Jan. 3, 1919 in Plentywood, Mt., to John and Vivian (O’Toole) Boulds. Ray grew up a ‘hardy boy’ and ‘prankster’ and graduated from Plentywood High in 1937 with honors in math. While in high school Ray was captain of the football team and participated in track and basketball. To support his family during the depression, Ray went to work on the Ft. Peck Dam spillway and the Civilian Conservation Corps as a logger in the Kalispell area. After graduation, with no work available in the area, Ray and a friend jumped a train to San Francisco, CA. He found work selling magazines and became the top salesman. In 1942 he was the first person to become drafted into the Army from Sheridan County. He served in the Pacific Theater, in the 24th Infantry Division as a Corporal until Aug. 1945. While in the military he was awarded the bronze star and many citations for merit and courage. Upon his discharge, Ray met his future bride Jeanne Bergh from Westby, Mt. They were married on Aug. 17, 1946 in Plentywood, Mt. During their marriage they were blessed with eleven children. With the help of the GI Bill, Ray attended Gonzaga University for one year, and then graduated from the University of Montana receiving his Pharmacy degree in 1950. The family lived in Polson, Mt. for a year while Ray completed his internship. In September 1951, Ray purchased the Skinner Drugstore and opened Boulds Drug in Poplar, Mt. Ray was the local pharmacist until retiring in June 2001 at the age of 82. Ray’s greatest joy in life was his family. He was known for his storytelling and being a ‘rock hound.’ Ray spent many summers digging rocks all over Montana and loved his yogo sapphires and agates. He was a life long member of the American Legion Club and Catholic Church, member and frequent president of the Chamber of Commerce and one of the founding members of the Poplar Development Corporation. He is survived by his wife Jeanne of 58 years; children Muriel (Russell) Smith of TX, Aileen of Billings, John, Dolores and Michael of Poplar, Donna (Robert) Ranf of Missoula, Patricia (John) Toavs of Wolf Point, Laurel (Phil) Fisk of WA, Raymond “Jeff” (Elena) of AK, Robert (Rachel) of UT and Barrie (fiancé Tim Wilkinson) of West Yellowstone; sisters Mona Welter of WY and Rosemary Downey of CA; one aunt Alice (Wilfred) Lawson; 21 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends. We will miss him dearly! His parents, sisters Florence, Shirley and Muriel and brothers Jimmy and Mickey preceded him in death. A wake will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10 at Clayton Stevenson Chapel in Poplar. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 11 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Burial and graveside services will be held in Plentywood at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 11.