Raynold John Bostow

raynold bostow
Raynold J. Bostow

12/25/22 - 12/9/21

Ray Bostow was the son of Russian immigrants who met and married in North Dakota and began their life in the United States on a farm they developed under the provisions of the Homestead Act. He grew up attending school in a one-room schoolhouse and helping with chores on the farm which frequently enjoyed winter temperatures that were -40 degrees.

Ray is predeceased by his wife Pearl, and daughter Nancy. Survivors include his two sons Dwight (wife Pam) and Dennis (wife Connie), seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and Diane, his partner for the past 13 years.

Ray led a varied and full life. After attending North Dakota State University, he worked as a teacher in a rural one-room schoolhouse while developing a farm for he and Pearl in North Dakota. He was equal to the varied tasks of a teacher which included going over to stoke the wooden stove on Sunday so it would be warm for the children on Monday and commuting by car, truck or horseback depending upon the weather. Ray and Pearl loved to dance and every weekend if there was a barn dance they were sure to be there. Over time they had three children and he accepted a position with the US Department of Agriculture in Fargo, North Dakota. He progressed in his career and

accepted a position with USDA in Washington, D.C. When he retired Ray was responsible for the farm program in the western quarter of the US, requiring frequent travel in his area of responsibility which included Alaska. In addition, they were very active in their church and held lay positions.



Following his retirement in 1986, Ray and Pearl enjoyed traveling and playing bridge and golfing. Ray also loved to go dancing at the Elks Lodge, bowl. and play poker regularly. Ray and Pearl spent the summers in Minnesota and North Dakota visiting family and friends and hosting them at their lake cottage. He also continued to own and manage his 640 acre farm in North Dakota until his death.

Pearl passed in 2003, in 2008 Ray decided to move with Diane into The Virginian where he continued to be very active in the community as well as internal resident activities. He continued with his bowling league twice a week, hosted a weekly poker game, a weekly luncheon attended by retired USDA employees, initiated an internal weekly duplicate bridge club averaging 12 tables at The Virginian, continued to enjoy Friday night dances at The Elks Lodge (Dancing Ray) and exercised almost daily in the fitness center and enjoyed being physically fit. He also started a class teaching bridge to other residents and trained and took therapy birds to special units. He served as a member of the Resident Council for two years as president and chaired the Building Services Committee for a number of years making suggestions to benefit both residents and staff.

Ray truly enjoyed a full life and giving back to whatever community he was a part of. During the past year he was in age-related declining health and had to discontinue most activities.

Services will be held at Money & King in Vienna, Virginia on Saturday, December 18th. Viewing is at 10:00 am, Services with participation of the Elks Lodge at 11:00 am.

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