Ray Hamby

Ray P. Hamby passed away at the age of 90 years old at Ashley Manor in Kimberly surrounded by his loving family. He was the youngest of a family of four daughters and three sons born to Joseph Gamewell “Game” Hamby and Nellie Maude Powell Hamby. Ray was born on July 29th, 1930 in a one room cabin south of Kimberly in Pleasant Valley. Ray met the love of his life, Dorthy Juanita Perkins and married her in Elko, Nevada on August 9, 1952. In August of 1953 their only child, Vickey “Renea” Hamby (Remaley) was born in Twin Falls, Idaho. Ray led an adventurous life. He loved to trap, hunt, and fish. He could often be found roaming the hills as a boy with his brother. They had their fair share of mishaps and close calls from getting skunked by a skunk or snapped at by an angry cougar in a trap. Later in life, Ray could be found holding a fishing pole on the Salmon River or stalking deer up on Sugarloaf. He loved being outdoors. One activity that led Ray outdoors was trapshooting. For many years, he was a top contender in statewide trapshooting competitions. He was a long time member of the Twin Falls Gun Club where he helped and taught many how to improve their shooting. He was a marksman who shot left handed even though he did everything else with his right. Ray was a jack of all trades. He did it all from operating heavy equipment in construction, hanging sheetrock, to potato and hay harvesting . He used his carpentry skills to build his daughter and her family a home south of Twin falls. There wasn’t a repair too small or big that Ray couldn't handle. He was known far and wide for his skills. A Kimberly woman famously told her husband that all she wanted for Mother’s Day was Ray Hamby for two days. Ray loved country music and had an uncanny gift of hearing a song and playing it, music unseen. He could play anything from his father’s zither, a piano, a fiddle, a banjo and even a harmonica. He was also a wonderful storyteller. The grandkids only needed to say “Tell me a story Papa” and he wouldn’t disappoint. The funny thing was that the stories weren’t made up. They were all based on his own personal adventures and life experiences. His grandkids and great grandkids were riveted with stories about hunting and fishing. Ray Hamby was a wonderful husband, dad, and grandfather. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to his friends and family. He was hardworking, sarcastic, and a teaser. He will be greatly missed. Ray was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Gamewell “Game” Hamby and Nellie Maude Powell Hamby, his brothers Carol(George) Hamby and Roy Hamby, his sisters, Lucille Savage, Mary Ellen Rosenbaum, Lena Schmechel and Edith Doughty and many relatives and friends who were dear to him. Ray is survived by his wife of 68 yrs, Dorthy (Perkins) Hamby and his daughter V. Renea Remaley, his two granddaughters, Ali (Clay) Seamons and Ashley Remaley along with their children Jaxon Seamons, Ava Seamons, Taegan Remaley and Baylor Lebsack. A daughter’s message to her dad: “My dad was one of the best papas teaching me how to work hard, finish with the best job, get back on the horse when thrown off and get your education. I will always love you dad with all my heart. Thank you for all the things you have done for me and my family. God is with you always. “ Ray Hamby’s celebration of life will be held October 30 at 10 a.m. at Parke’s funeral home on Kimberly Road in Twin Falls . A viewing will be held on Thursday October 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Parkes.