Ray Leslie Gillson, 84, of Austin died Friday, September 18, 2009 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born July 5, 1925 in Austin to Ezra and Edna (Bliese) Gillson. Ray graduated from Austin High School in the class of 1943. He served in the US Navy during WWII. On October 2, 1945 he was married to Betty Jean Nagel. They have lived in Austin, where he was employed as a mechanic with Hormel Foods for 46 years until the time of his retirement. Ray was an avid sports fan and was a familiar face around town, having been a softball umpire for 40 years. He was a charter member of the Austin Athletic Club and ran a baseball card shop called Gilly’s Card Den before and after his retirement. Ray was an active member of the Grace Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, three sisters and one brother. Ray is survived by his wife Betty Jean Gillson, Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Blaine Arneson, Austin; son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Mary Gillson, Coon Rapids; grandchildren, Stacie and David Beecham, Angie and Mike Schulke, John and Cassie Gillson, Laura and Joe Lofgren, Emily Gillson; six great grandchildren; sister, Lois and Frank Felty, Coon Rapids.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2009 at Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Gordon Larson Officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be for one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Casket Bearers will be David Beecham, John Gillson, Mike Schulke, Joe Lofgren