Ray Bittle

Ray Bittle, a kind and gentle spirit who maintained his humor throughout life and told us Christmas was his favorite time of year, passed on November 20, 2021 while living with his daughter and her husband in Evergreen, CO.  He was born in 1929 to Delma (Finley) and George Bittle and spent his early years on the road with his parents traveling to project sites around the country while his dad worked as a Chief Master Mechanic.  Houston was their home base until 1945 when the family moved to Center, CO.  He was delighted with the move and ample opportunities for fishing and hunting.  On January 26, 1946 Ray and Anita Henrie had their first date at a school dance.  They were married May 26, 1952 just before Ray was sent to serve in the Korean War as a U.S. Army Reconnaissance Sergeant.  He was awarded the bronze star and returned safely home.  Ultimately, he and Anita moved to the Applewood area in Golden, CO, raised their two children and were active members of Applewood Valley United Methodist Church (AVUMC) the remainder of their lives.  Ray enjoyed working as a pipe design and draftsman with Stearns-Roger Corporation until it was acquired by Air Products in the 1980s.  Retirement included traveling with Anita, compiling volumes of family genealogy, memorializing his time in Korea and spending Tuesdays with his beloved granddaughters until they were old enough for school.

Anita preceded him in death and Ray is survived by a son Doug, daughter Jamie and two granddaughters, Amy & Sarah.

Memorial Donations suggested to Mount Evans Home Health Care and Hospice www.mtevans.org