North Morrow
Volume XXVI Number 9
April 6, 2018
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Boardman Community says their farewell to Ray and Carol Michael How do we say farewell to a couple who has meant so much to our community? Ray and Carol Michael have been integral components in the growth and wellbeing of Boardman for so long that it is hard to imagine they will no longer live here! Ray Michael was raised in Newberg, Oregon. He graduated from high school there before attending Portland State University (PS College, then) and then transferred to Oregon State University, where he graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1964. He served a one year internship with Gresham Rexall Drugs as a condition of his license, then worked for Pay N Save Drugs for a total of 13 years in the Portland area. His brother and sister in law, Dr. John and Jacque Paige lived in Hermiston, so they visited often. Looking to have a business on his own, Ray partnered with the Paige’s and in October, 1978 opened his new building in Boardman. He added the hardware store in 2001. Ray and his wife, Mary raised their four children in Boardman. After Ray’s wife, Mary passed away in 1988, he eventually bought out his partners and continued in business on his own. Ray and Carol were married in 1992, and together they operated the store until it was sold (without the pharmacy) to the Richards in 2012. Carol was raised in Whittier, California. She attended Mt. San Antonio Community College, later transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she graduated. She married, and the couple moved to the east coast, where her husband was in the National Security Agency. Later, they moved back to California, where they raised their three children. After her marriage ended, Carol went back to Cal Poly to earn her master’s degree in Consumer Education. She worked for a time in western Massachusetts, before accepting a job with
Oregon State College Extension Service in Morrow County in 1989. Through the years, Carol and Ray have been involved in most community affairs in Boardman. Ray served on Boardman City Council, Kiwanis Club of Boardman, Boardman Senior Center Board of Directors, and for 40 years as Director on Boardman Park & Recreation District board. Carol was instrumental in forming a 501(c)3 foundation, North Morrow Community Foundation, which is highly active in bringing artists and musicians to the Boardman and Irrigon Schools. She also has been active in the Morrow County Cultural Commission. When you walk along the paved walking path on the Columbia River, you can thank Carol Michael for the informational placards that tell us about Lewis & Clark and other historical news. Carol also has been active in the Boardman Quilt Group. During the years Carol has lived in Morrow County, she retained ownership of her house in San Luis Obispo, where her daughter lived while attending college and later. It is to that home Ray and Carol will retire, as they leave their Boardman home to a new family. Carol’s three grown children live in the San Luis Obispo area, with grandchildren and “five fine cats and a tortoise”, to visit. Carol says her children are all musical, so there are symphonies and jazz bands to attend. While Ray’s grown children are spread out to the TriCities, Broomfield, Colorado and Pendleton areas, Ray and Carol plan to visit them regularly. The Michaels will enjoy the weather in the San Luis Obispo area, as well as the many wineries, farmer’s markets, museums and other things to do, especially golf, for Ray! Happy retirement to the Michaels, and please return to Boardman often to visit us!
Carol and Ray Michael
Above L-R Carol and Ray Michael were honored by Boardman Park & Recreation District Chair Karen Pettigrew for their support of the walking trail along the Columbia River. Left L-R Karen Pettigrew and Marie Cornell describe the comical quilted hanging the Boardman Quilters made for Carol & Ray.
Donna Edmond, President of the Boardman Senior Center presented the “BIG CARD” to Carol and Ray Michael and thanked them for their many volunteer duties throughout the community.