Born in a farmhouse on Sarpy Creek in Sanders, Montana, Raymond Swanson came into this world on Dec. 28, 1934. Ray attended school in Sanders and several places in eastern Montana and North Dakota before graduating in 1953 from Sweet Grass High School in Big Timber, Montana.After graduation, Ray worked for Shell Oil Company for six and a half years, two of which were spent in the U.S. Army. Drafted in February 1957, Ray served at the Fort Sill, Oklahoma artillery base until 1959.On Aug. 19, 1956, Ray married Connie Strickland in Big Timber. Together they had two children: a son, Mike, who was born on Feb. 20, 1958 in Lawton, Oklahoma; and their daughter, Cherie, who was born in Wolf Point, Montana on Dec. 31, 1960.In 1961, Ray started working for the Montana State Highway Department as a surveyor, retiring in 1989. It was during this time that Ray relocated to Manhattan, Montana, where he lived from 1963 until 2005.Connie passed away Oct. 15, 2002. On May 17, 2005, Ray married Doris Kallestad and moved to her ranch on Burnt Road between Manhattan and Belgrade, where he lived until his death. Ray is survived by his wife, Doris; son, Mike (Robin); daughter, Cherie (Tami); granddaughters, Lyndsey (Jesse) Rehm and Erica Swanson; three great-grandchildren, Caleb, Camden, and Kaeana Rehm; and numerous extended family.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ray's name may be made to Bozeman Health Foundation (with "Hospice" in the memo line), 931 Highland Boulevard, Suite 3200, Bozeman, Montana 59715.Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com