Raymond W. "Zukie" Zufall, age 83, a longtime resident of Wenatchee and Lake Wenatchee, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at Riverwest Retirement Community, surrounded by his family. He was born July 19, 1926, to Ralph and Gladys (Brough) Zufall at Wenatchee. He attended Columbia Grade School and Wenatchee Junior High. He worked in packing cold storage and logging. Ray served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1947, serving in the Philippines and occupied Japan. He was crossing the ocean on a military ship to Japan, when the first atomic bomb was dropped. Following his honorable discharge, he came back to Wenatchee, where he worked for his parents at "Zukies Doghouse", the family restaurant. In late 1948, he went to wok for the Great Northern Railway, which later became Burlington Northern, as a switchman and conductor. He transferred to Spokane in 1959. He was Safety Committee Chairman for five years. In the 1960's, he started a CB club. He bought a new truck, camper and boat and traveled all over the USA, talking to other CB travelers. He loved fishing at Lake Pond Oreille and waterskiing with his new boat. Ray loved hunting. He helped Dale Moffat establish Moffat Taxidermy in Spokane, where he worked part time while hunting the Northwest. In 1980, he bought his first Goldwing and started a new adventure. He and some friends started The Goldwing Road Riders, which later became the Goldwing Touring Association. In 1984, he retired from the Railroad with 37 years of service. Ray then moved to Lake Wenatchee, where he operated "Zukies Enterprises and Sales." Ray and his best friend, Sandra Baker, took many motorcycle trips all over the country during his retirement. They had many wonderful times riding together with friends and in later years, when Ray was 79, he was proud to receive the oldest biker award. In 1986, Ray and Byron Dickinson founded Chelan County Fire District #9. He served as Fire Commissioner for 23 years. Chelan County Fire District #9 became the second largest district in the county. He had been a volunteer Fireman in the early years in Wenatchee as well. In 2000, Ray bought a home in Merritt, WA, to be near his family, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. In 2007, Ray had to give up his motorcycle. He was a member of the American Legion and the Wenatchee Order of the Eagles. Ray was energetic, bossy, opinionated, always liked being in charge, an entrepreneur, very caring, a people person, loved animals and was always there to lend a hand. Ray loved Garfield. He had a big Garfield collection, Garfield checks and painted Garfield on his motorcycle. He was a colorful character to say the least. His ready wit and sense of humor was loved by all who knew him. He gave his family strict instructions to make sure we didn't forget anything in his obituary that made him look good and give him a happy celebration in the end. That was our Ray. We will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, June; son, Robert; and son, Bill. He is survived by his sons, Kenneth (Alice) Zufall of Soap Lake and Michael Zufall of Merritt; daughters, Pamela Zufall of Wenatchee and Kimberlee Zufall of Wenatchee; his sisters, Sharen (Jim) George of Merritt and Judy (Jeff) Carlson of Superior, MT; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; his favorite aunt, Ellen Zufall; his very best longtime friend and companion, Sandy Baker of Mercer Island; plus several nieces and nephews; and two special people, Julie and Caitlin; along with dog, Rusty and cat, Skunky.

A Celebration of Ray's Life will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at the Lake Wenatchee Recreation Club, 14400 Chiwawa Loop Road, Lake Wenatchee, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wenatchee Humane Society, 1474 S. Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801; Chelan County Fire District #9, 21696 Lake Wenatchee Highway, Leavenworth, WA 98826; or Hospice of Wenatchee, 1201 S. Miller, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Ward's Funeral Chapel of Leavenworth is assisting with the arrangements.