Ray was born on January 22, 1939, in the small northern B.C. town of Smithers. Ray (his only given name) was the youngest of five children born to Wesley and Florence Banta. Ray spent his early years living in the heart of town. Following his father’s early passing, he left school at a young age to help support his family, delivering newspapers and setting up pins at the local bowling alley. He often shared fond memories of time spent at the family cabin on Babine Lake and of watching local fishermen at Hazelton.

By 1970, Ray had worked his way up to supervising land clearing for the Columbia Basin Treaty, an agreement signed nine years earlier between Canada and the United States to coordinate flood management and hydroelectric power.  With numerous government agencies involved, Ray took on a management role with the British Columbia Forestry Service to oversee the massive task. His passion for bulldozers and heavy equipment made the job a perfect fit. He first began work on the Mica Dam, later moving to the East Kootenay’s to work on the Libby Pondage. While working on the Kootenay River, he set up camp at Waldo, where he shared a room with his pet skunk. It was there he made many friends in the area.

In the same year, 1970, Ray’s life took a completely different path than planned. While visiting the Rosicky Ranch in Wardner to discuss with the family relocating to the bench land when the reservoir reached full pool, he had a conversation that changed everything. That meeting led to a lifelong journey of ranching with Darlene and her daughter, Glenda.

In 1973, Ray left his government job to work full-time on the ranch. He also did occasional work for the BC Parks Department out of the Cranbrook office, and took a contract delivering firewood to provincial campsites.

Ray will be remembered as a kind, quiet and considerate man with a soft heart but in his earlier days, he truly loved a good party. Flying in any aircraft pleased him, and consequently he took many flights and schooling towards getting a license.  Expo in Japan and hunting in Africa were two of many holidays he enjoyed.

Ray’s days were filled with the things he loved to do. Every morning began with a strong cup of coffee (with lots of sugar), and he never missed a chance to share stories whenever an old friend or farm salesman stopped by. Ray drove tractors almost daily, built fences, and hauled salt out to the cows in the pastures. The spring he spent watching cows calve. In the summer, he was always on the hay fields. Autumn was set aside for hunting, cutting Christmas trees, and getting together with long time friends. Winter came too early for him every year. Ray didn’t enjoy the cold weather so every morning the tractor was warmed up before venturing out to feed the cows.

Ray took pride in his D7 bulldozer, a purchase he was especially proud of.  He often enjoyed attending a good auction sale, whether it be cattle at Balog’s Auction in Southern Alberta or a farm sale around the East Kootenays.

His gentle guidance profoundly shaped the way the ranch was run. Ray taught us the value of living simply and most importantly, making each day brighter.

Ray was predeceased by his long-time spouse and dear friend, Darlene, in 2022. He was also preceded in death by his father Wesley, his mother Florence, and his stepfather Cliff Delage. His four siblings ; Carl, Verna, Marie, and Mel had also passed before him.

Ray leaves behind his loving family: his daughter Glenda (Craig), grandson Brett (Amanda), and great-grandchildren Kylie Rae and Jase Michael, along with other extended family and close friends.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Sparling East Medical Centre in Fernie, Dr. Paul Michal, Dr. Ron Clark, as well as Alanna and the dedicated nurses in Fernie Hospital’s Ambulatory Care for their support during weekly visits. Your kindness and support was apparent and very much appreciated.  We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sean McFadden at the Tom Baker Centre in Calgary Foothills and Dr. Toni Winder for Ray’s most recent Parkinson’s support.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at the Jaffray Community Hall (outdoors) at 5 p.m.  Please join the family for some stories and refreshments to honor Ray’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that support be given to the rural members of the South Country Ag and More. This group supports youth learning while raising farm animals using real life skills. It encourages children to raise awareness within the agriculture sector and ensure the future of farming and food production, a cause Ray would fully support.  (P.O. Box 15, Grasmere, B.C. V0B 1R0).