Joseph Ray Behnke

JOSEPH RAY BEHNKE, age 77, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2015 in Santa Clara, Utah. He was born on December 28, 1937 in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents Basil Kyle Behnke and Mabel Orr Behnke, his brothers Ronald O. Behnke, Arland B. Jones, Kenneth Kyle Behnke and Maurice Kay Behnke and a sister Geraldine Behnke Jamison.

He is survived by his wife Frances Woods Behnke, married for 52 years, son, Kyle Ray Behnke of Santa Clara, Utah and a daughter, C. Denise Behnke Rydalch of St. Anthony, Idaho. He has 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Ray practiced dentistry for 35 years but his biggest joy came from singing with the Mormon Tabernacle choir for 21 years until his retirement in 1998. Music was his passion. He played the French horn in his high school band and played piano for a men’s quartet as well as sang with them. He served an LDS mission from October 1958 - April 1961 in the Northern Mexico Mission. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1963 and that is where he and Fran met, courted and married 5 days after graduation. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple June 4, 1963.

His favorite hobby was scuba diving and he became an avid underwater photographer. He loved nature and especially watching the birds and critters in the backyard. Family history research became a well developed hobby for the last several years.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful health care professionals, the caring hospice nurses, the ward family, Relief Society and Bishopric for helping with arrangements and all of our loving family and friends.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the LDS Chapel, 3815 Rachel Dr, Santa Clara, Utah. Viewing will be Friday, Aug 28th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:30 - 10:45 AM at the same location.

Interment will be in the Santa Clara Cemetery, Ancestor Way, Santa Clara,