Ray Dale Opat April 01, 1942 – April 22, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation On April 1, 1942, Raymond Dale Opat was born on the family farm near Lime Springs, Iowa to Frank and Olena (Dybevik) Opat. He was the 9th of ten children. He passed away at the age of 77 on Monday, April 22, 2019 at his home in Scobey of natural causes.
Ray truly loved his father and was sleeping in the barn during calving at age two, and riding on tractors by four. He loved animals and put their needs first. He learned to love Classic Country Music which he enjoyed all his life.
On Sundays, Ray, his father and nephew Bobbie would go to church, then head to their favorite fishing spots. He enjoyed fishing, mostly ‘catch and release’ so someone else could have fun. Ray and his brother Lester also spent many hours hunting pheasants.
Ray attended country schools through the 8th grade, and stayed home to run the family farm. He was proud to later get his GED. His father died when Ray was 21, so he took care of his mother, did a lot of custom field work, dairy work, and enjoyed time on the tractors.
In 1979 Ray fell in love with Jodie Lee Morris. He became the father of her two children, Rob and Debbie. They celebrated 40 years of marriage, March 18, 2019.
Ray worked many years for the Bitterroot Stock Farm in Hamilton until back problems caused him to stop. Then in 1995, Ray, Jodie and Debbie moved to Scobey to help Grandma Dickinson. For 20 years he worked seasonally for G & G Fertilizer Company in Flaxville.
Mary Jo and Gil became lifelong friends, truly treasured by Ray! Gardening was Ray’s passion and he taught Debbie to be his helper. Many friends shared in the harvest since he always planted more than needed.
His health problems couldn’t keep him down, with lots of prayers from family and friends. Ray didn’t get to spend much time with his grandparents, but he grew to love Grandma D very dearly and enjoyed spending time with her learning of her growing up in Iowa, plus a lot of history of northeastern Montana. He was surprised how easy it was to make friends in Scobey.
Ray’s last day was spent outside in the sun, hanging bird feeders and wind chimes, while enjoying the little birds. As much as we will miss him, we thank the Lord that his life ended so peacefully. May you enjoy being in the Love of the Lord, your parents, Grandma, Aunt Pati, Mary Jo, and so many beloved!
Survivors include his wife Jodie, step-daughter Deborah Morris, step-son Robert (Taunya) Morris and grandchildren of Boulder; MT, brothers Lester, Arthur and William; sisters Rosella Fenske and Sharon Hanson; in-laws Lynelle Rolfe, Brian Lee and Lee Alan; and many beloved relatives of the Dickinson family. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, a grandson, three sisters and a brother. A memorial service was held April 29 at the Scobey United Methodist Church with Pastor John Nadasi officiating.
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