Raymond LaMontagne

Raymond Edward LaMontagne, 45, Bismarck, ND, died unexpectedly Sunday, January 25, 2009, in Addison, TX, while on active duty with the US Army Reserve. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, Rev. Jerome Kautzman officiating. Burial will be held in the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, ND. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm Tuesday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck where a prayer service will be held at 6:30 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Ray was born on the naval base at Newport, RI, on June 14, 1963, the son of John and Wanda LaMontagne. His mother is the former Wanda Flanagan of Bismarck. His family was stationed in Newport as his father was active duty Navy. In 1975 after being stationed in Mayport, FL, and Great Lakes, IL, Ray’s father retired from the Navy and the family settled in Bismarck. Ray’s childhood was spent in fun-filled days of family, church, school, friends and scouting activities. While still in high school he got his first job at Mr. Steak, as a dishwasher. He quickly moved up to Line Cook, which launched a lifetime love of restaurant cooking and banquet presentation. Ray graduated from St. Mary’s Central High School in 1981 and began coursework at the University of North Dakota toward a degree in computer science. Ray’s father had served his country honorably with 20 years in the Navy and urged Ray to make the military his career as well. Ray, however, felt full time military service would be too constraining at the time, so a compromise was reached and he joined the ND National Guard, serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year on active duty. He went through Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and never lost the feeling of camaraderie he had with those first fellow soldiers. He remained in contact with many of them until his death. He returned to Bismarck as a member of the Combat Engineers later becoming part of the 191 MP Co. based in Mandan. While the National Guard was part-time enjoyment, his full time employment was his first love--culinary arts. He joined the kitchen staff at the Holiday Inn of Bismarck where, in 1982, he met his future wife, Claudia Stephenson, who worked at the front desk. They were married July 12, 1986, and had three children, Aaron 1988, Ian 1991 and Olivia 1995. Making their home in Bismarck, Ray worked in some of the best kitchens of the time; including the Kirkwood Motor Inn, Ramada Inn, Medcenter One, Caspar’s East 40, and Seven Seas. Ray’s talented and creative eye, his numerous artistic abilities and his endearing sense of whimsy were shared with others through his edible fruit and vegetable displays and his spectacular ice carvings. When Ray prepared a meal, whether for one or 1000, his desire was not to simply satisfy your physical hunger but to delight all five of your senses. Some of his most memorable culinary experiences included, working for two of Bismarck’s finest restaurateur’s: Caspar Borggreve of Caspar’s East 40 and Barry Davis at the Seven Seas; working alongside his mentor, Cal Niess; being a member of the lobbying team sent to “sell” Bismarck as the site of the Woman’s Bowling Assoc. National Tournament Bismarck was awarded that contract, graduating from BSC’s Hotel/Restaurant Management Program and later serving as BSC’s instructor of Institutional Cooking and becoming Executive Chef of the Seven Seas. In 1991, wanting more time with his family than his culinary schedule allowed Ray transitioned himself from the National Guard into the US Army Reserves first as a part time soldier and then going full time in 2001. At the time of his death he held the rank of Sgt. 1st Class, working towards a promotion to Master Sgt. Some of Ray’s most memorable times in the military include Basic Training, active duty in Honduras, SA, training in Hawaii, serving as Honor Guard in the ND State Capitol Great Room for the lying-in-state of Rep. Brynhild Haugen and Lt. Governor Ruth Meiers and serving as a Retention NCO. A large part of Ray’s family life centered around activities of the Boy Scouts of America. As an adult leader he, Aaron and Ian belonged to Troop 2 based out of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Scouting positions held include Den Leader, Pack Leader, Ass’t Scout Master, and Awards Chairman. Having earned his Leadership Training Knot Ray went on to earn his Wood Badge, receive the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood and the 2008 District Award of Merit. Scouting highlights included attending High Adventure Camps in Philmont, NM, 2006, and Sea Base, FL 2008. But more important than his love of cooking or commitment to the Boy Scouts and military was Ray’s devotion to his family. Growing up in a Christ-centered home surrounded by the love of his parents and siblings Ray learned that nothing in this world was more important than family. His total commitment to Claudia, Aaron, Ian and Olivia, was unquestionable, all encompassing and never ending. It was from his family that he drew his strength, a deep and quiet strength that invited others to seek his counsel. Ray was an extremely easy-going, patient, humble and understanding man; slow to anger and quick to embrace. He held no prejudices, no biasness. It did not matter what age, color, or religion you were as Ray treated everyone he met with kindness, dignity and respect. Though he was generally quiet and unassuming with an almost self-deprecating air about him; Ray was also an extremely social person. Always up for a party and usually the last to leave one, he often surprised people with his penchant for fun and his absolutely delightful sense of humor. His passing leaves a great hole in the lives of so many family and friends literally around the world. Ray was our son, brother, husband, father, friend, and confidante. He was the person you could count on to be there for you with no questions asked no matter what the hour or situation. He was our Rock. Ray is survived by his wife, Claudia; his sons, Aaron and Ian and daughter, Olivia, all of Bismarck; his father and mother, John and Wanda, Bismarck; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Cathy Randy Roberson, Fargo, Theresa Mike Stockert, Bismarck, and Michelle Chris Burcky, Memphis, TN; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Johnny Wendy, Bismarck, Robert Anne Guelph, Ontario, and Jerry, Fargo; nephews and nieces, Broc, Miranda, Dustin, Cole, Andrea, Kyle, Tia, Grant, and Tyler; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Milford “Miff” and Arlene Stephenson, Bismarck; uncles, Raymond “Mike”, Pat, David, and Danny Flanagan, all of Bismarck, and John Flanagan, Columbia, MO, and Victor LaMontagne, Dade City, FL; his aunts, Inez Ryberg, Ramona Birdsell, Louise LaMontagne and Faye Flanagan; and his brothers-in-law, Andre, Grimes, IA, Bradley Chris Fargo, and Darin, San Diego, CA. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edward and Maria Schafer, Victor LaMontagne, Sr., and Raymond and Beatrice Flanagan; and his aunts, Diann and Alvina Flanagan.

Raymond LaMontagne

June 14, 1963 - January 25, 2009