Ray G. Anderson, age 85, of East Helena

Raymond “Ray” Gale Anderson, 85, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father, surrounded by the warmth and love of his family. A man of faith, quiet strength, sharp intellect, and a lifelong passion for his home state, Ray leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication.

-Early Life and Service

Born on December 2, 1940, in Helena, Montana, to Raymond and Mina Anderson, Ray’s roots were firmly planted in the Big Sky Country. He attended school in Helena before moving to Butte, where he graduated high school.

Shortly after graduation, Ray answered the call to serve his country. He joined the U.S. Army on February 16, 1959. He served three years as a combat medic, with honor and distinction before receiving his honorable discharge. Carrying the discipline and values he learned in the military throughout the rest of his life.

-Education and Career

Upon returning to Montana, Ray pursued higher education at Carroll College in Helena. Where he earned his Batchelor’s degree in both Business and Accounting. To support his studies, he spent his college years working part-time moving furniture at Gambles of Helena, never shying away from honest labor.

His professional journey took him briefly to Los Angeles to work for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), but his heart remained in Montana. He eventually returned to Montana and dedicated his professional life to the field of accounting, severing his community through his private practice and his fellow citizens through his dedicated work as an accountant for the State of Montana in the Department of Transportation (DOT). Even after retiring from the state, Ray’s work ethic remained unmatched; he maintained a private accounting practice and later enjoyed working at McDonald’s and serving as a night auditor for the Shilo Inn for many years.

-A Life of Passion

Beyond the ledgers, Ray’s greatest passion was photography. He was rarely seen without a camera around his neck. Whether he was capturing a grand landscape, a candid smile at a family event, or the quiet beauty of a sunrise. Ray had a gift for finding art in the everyday. He didn’t just take pictures; he preserved the history of our lives, leaving behind a legacy of memories that we will cherish forever. Ray was also a gifted piano player who filled his home with music. One of his greatest joys was sitting at the piano bench with grandchildren patiently teaching them the keys and sharing his love for a beautiful melody. He also enjoyed holding and loving on his favorite puppies.

-At Home Under the Big Sky

Perhaps the only thing Ray loved as much as photography was the great outdoors. He found his peace in nature, whether he was casting a line while fishing or simply breathing in the fresh air. Ray felt most at home under the Big Sky, finding beauty in the vast horizons and the quiet stillness of the wilderness. These moments in nature often served as the backdrop for his most stunning photographs.

-A Lifelong Athlete and Fan

A heart of an athlete and artist. Ray’s competitive spirit and love for the game were woven into the fabric of his life. In his younger years, he excelled in track and field, specifically as a pole vaulter, a discipline that mirrored his approach to life—always reaching for new heights.

Throughout his years, Ray remained an active sportsman, finding joy on the green while golfing, precision on the lanes while bowling, and the timeless thrill of baseball. When he wasn’t playing, he was a dedicated fan, spending his free time rooted in front of the TV, cheering for his favorite teams. His love for global competition was present until the very end; even in his final days, Ray was in the hospital watching the 2026 Winter Olympics.

-Legacy and Services

Beyond his lens and his sports, Ray was known for his Kindness, Humor, Patience and his ability to make everyone he met feel seen and valued. He taught us all to  “slow down” and wait for the right moment, a lesson that extended far beyond his hobbies.

Ray is survived by His wife: Donna Ellagene Anderson; a brother Gary and Margo Anderson; Son: Kevin Anderson (Helena) Daughter: Nikki Scheet (Helena), Step Children: Diane Openiano (WA), Kevin & Monique Legg (Helena), Reva and Fred Mauck (OR), Fred Kessner (GA). Grandchildren: Sara, Jamie, Sierra, Alyssa, Mikayla, Phillip, Patrick, Danielle, and Danillo. Great Grandchildren: Cassie, Kakashi, Gohan, Athena, Jacob, and Samuel. Also his two beloved dogs Niko and Shena. All whom will miss his unique perspective on life. He was preceded in death by his father and mother: Raymond and Mina (Chenovick) Anderson, & his son Donald Anderson.

-Remembered by Many

Ray will be remembered as a man who balanced a serious professional mind with a genuine love for the simple joys of life—a cold morning on the golf course, the click of a camera shutter, and the comfort of his family.

Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

A Celebration of Ray’s Life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2026 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., Helena 59602. A Graveside service will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 7100 N Montana Ave., Helena 59602. A Reception will be held at the Helena Nazarene Church, 117 Valley Dr., Helena 59601 after the burial.

Service Schedule

Celebration of His Life

11:00am

Friday March 6, 2026

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Graveside Service

Following the Memorial Service

Friday March 6, 2026

Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery

7100 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

Following the burial

Friday March 6, 2026

Helena Nazarene Church

117 Valley Dr.

Helena, Montana 59601

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