Raymond Blatter Sr.

Raymond Eugene Blatter, 90, passed away on October 16, 2019 at his home in Saint George, Utah.

He was born in Lewistown, Montana on February 9, 1929, son of the late Otto and Rita Blatter.

During his childhood, Ray lived in Lewistown with his sisters Leola Martin and V’Laine Matthews, both of whom have passed before him.

Ray attended Idaho State University where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in Music Education.  He also met Margaret Ann Sant, his future wife, while attending Idaho State.  Upon graduation, Ray was inducted into the U.S. Army.  Ray and Margaret Ann were married in 1951 and began their life together in Paso Robles, California while Ray received Army Basic Training and attended Leadership School. Following Leadership school, Ray signed up for the 82nd Airborne and was subsequently stationed in Fort Benning Georgia where he attended jump school.  After he receive his paratrooper wings he served in the Military Police at Fort Benning until his military discharge.

Following Ray’s discharge, he and Margaret Ann moved to Burley, Idaho where he taught music at Burley’s Junior High and High Schools.  During that time, Ray spent summers with his young family in Provo, Utah where he, in 1963, received a Master of Music Degree from Brigham Young University.

In 1962, they moved their family to San Mateo, California where Ray taught orchestra and choir at Mills High School in Millbrae, California.  He was loved by his students as he provided them with training, discipline, courtesy and kindness.  He traveled with his students to perform in London, Paris, Vancouver, Canada and Hawaii.

In 1973, Ray went on Sabbatical during which he, and Margaret Ann, toured 13 countries in Europe in a Volkswagen bus with their two youngest sons.

Ray retired from teaching in 1986.  The next two years were spent traveling extensively to the Indy 500 race, Israel, Turkey Greece, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Branson MO, New England and many other destinations. He served a mission, with his wife, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1989 to 1990 in Singapore and India where they had many wonderful experiences.

Ray and Margaret Ann remained in California until 1993 when they moved to Saint George, Utah.  Ray treasured his friends there and shared his musical talent as he sang with his wife in the Saint George Heritage Choir, played Viola with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra and served as Concert Master playing Violin with the Southwest Symphony Strings.

Ray was a devoted husband and father who loved, and was loved by, his wife and children.  He lived a full life, had positive influences on many and, as he said in his final days, “had no regrets.”

Ray was predeceased by Margaret Ann on September 28, 2019.  He is survived by his five children, Ray Blatter, Jr., Bashawn Adams, Rochelle Elliott, Brian Blatter and Glenn Blatter.  He was also blessed with 22 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held for both Raymond and Margaret on Saturday, November 16, 2019 beginning 2:00 p.m. at the Morningside Stake Center located at 881 South River Road, Saint George, Utah.