Ray Potter

Ray G. Potter (Junior) age 86, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully on October 18, 2019 in Billings, Montana formerly of Miles City and Fishtail, Montana. He was born September 13, 1933, in Glendive, Montana, to Ray and Beulah (Popp) Potter. He had six siblings. He graduated from Broadus High School in 1952. Ray married Janet Ann Fiechtner on September 20, 1954, in Miles City, Montana.

Upon graduating from high school, Ray was employed by the Montana State Highway Department in Miles City for 30 years, retiring in 1981. After retirement, he opened Potter's Rock Shop in Fishtail and when his wife Janet retired, they added a coffee bar to the business. Ray was known throughout the area for making an excellent latte. Ray and Janet ran Potter's Rock Shop and Coffee House for 34 years.

Ray loved sports and excelled as an athlete in high school. He played basketball, baseball, and football and earned numerous awards for his accomplishments. For years he hunted agates and created beautiful jewelry and decorative pieces from the rocks he cut and polished. He was also an amateur archaeologist, collecting and studying artifacts from the Native American culture. Ray took great pride in maintaining the beautiful landscape at his former home and shop in Fishtail. Known as "Gramps" to his five grandchildren, Ray loved each one dearly and enjoyed spending time with them at his cabin. He was a man of integrity, a great role model, had a quiet spirituality, and believed in hard work and long naps in the afternoon.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather (Jack Smith), his brothers, Dick and Gary; his stepbrothers, Lee, Howard, and Jackie Smith; and his sister Myrna Brown Chavez. He is survived by his wife Janet of Billings, Montana; daughter LaRae (Bill) Weikert of Buckeye, Arizona; son Raymond (Laura) of Billings, Montana; grandchildren Jeremy (Sherry McClain) Weikert of Des Moines, Washington; Sarah Weikert; Kylie (Jeff) Hall of Bozeman, Montana; Adam (Katy) Potter of Billings, Montana; and Nicole Potter, Billings, Montana.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the charity of one's choice.

The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the care teams at Morning Star Reflections and Stillwater Hospice.

A celebration of life will be held at Faith Chapel (Broadwater Entrance) 517 Shiloh Road, Billings, Montana at 11:00 a.m. on May 9, 2020.