Ray Gene Bahr

Ray Gene Bahr, 67, of Shelley, passed away July 3, 2010 at his home.

He was born in Idaho Falls the fourth of six children to William Ellis and Thelma Meikle Bahr.  He spent his early years in Osgood, where his father farmed.  At the age of seven his family moved to Blackfoot where again the family farmed raising, pigs, cows, and various crops.  He graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1961.

In 1963 he obtained a degree from ISU Technical College in Mechanics.  After college he worked in a garage for Lowell Christensen in Moreland.

He met his wife Jenny M. Hawkes in August of 1962.  They were married July 26, 1963 in the Idaho Falls temple.  They lived in Moreland where their five children were born.

He later worked at Gardner Stone Construction as a machinist for several years.  Then he took a chance to be his own boss and owned and operated Ray’s Sinclair in Blackfoot.  After a couple of years he sold out and went to work for the Matsura Brothers Farms in Rising River as a mechanic.  In 1977 he moved his family to Shelley and went to work for Idaho Service and Supply for two years.  In 1979 he started Dairy Equipment Company.  After three years on his own he merged with Dairy Systems Company and managed all operations in South East Idaho and Western Wyoming for eight years.  He left Dairy Systems to again start his own business, Shelley Dairy Service, where he sold and serviced dairy equipment.  He gained a great love for the dairymen and worked very hard until December of 2009 when his health prohibited him to continue working.

Ray was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held various callings including, Sunday School Teacher, Scout Leader, and Ward Clerk.

He loved fishing, wood working, snowmobiling, camping, and all outdoor fun.

He loved his family and they loved him.  He will be missed very much.

He is survived by his wife, Jenny of Shelley; children, Ralinda Monga of Shelley; J. Kip (Shannah) Bahr of Elkhart, Indiana; Lance Ray (Shayna) Bahr of Boise; Corina Johnson of Orem, Utah; Israel Sidney (Cindy) Bahr of Idaho Falls; siblings, Barbara (Nile) Wilding of Blackfoot; Gerald (Ruth) Bahr of Atlanta, Georgia; Karen (Rick) Stoddart of Blackfoot; Colleen Stanglen of Dallas, Texas; and 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Leo Meikle Bahr, Laverl Bahr, and Burnell Bahr.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday July 8, 2010 at the Jameston Ward Chapel (1101 East 1250 North) with Bishop Bryce Hanson conducting.  The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:30 till 8:00 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Thursday morning 9:30 till 10:40 at the church.  Interment will be in the Taylor Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Creek Side Hospice, 3686 Washington Parkway, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83406.