Raymond "Ray" Holmer

Holmer, Raymond “Ray” Gene

Ray Holmer, 89, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) of natural causes. Born in Idaho Falls on July 13, 1936 to Raymond J. “Pat” and Lois M. (Becker) Holmer, he was raised on a farm in the New Sweden area west of Idaho Falls. He married his wife, Madge M. Holmer on September 5, 1959 and they had recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. His wife Madge passed away on September 16, 2025.

Ray is lovingly survived by his five children, Raymond C. “Chuck” (Debarah) Holmer of New Windsor, MD, Cindy S. (Paul) Wilde of Idaho Falls, Holly M. (Dean) Barnhart of Everett, WA, Brenda J. “BJ” Mosbrucker of Idaho Falls, and Margret M. (Dennis) Reeb of Idaho Falls; one sister Luann (Forrest) Hanson of Idaho Falls; 11 grandchildren (Daniel Holmer, Abbie (Glenn) Fogle, Jeremy (Brittany) Wilde, Amy (Mikkel) Anderson, Alex Wilde, Sean Barnhart, Kalie (David) Trotter, Andrew Barnhart, Dani Mosbrucker, Maddy Reeb, Matt Reeb), five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Robert, and a son-in-law and grandson (Tom and TJ Mosbrucker).

Ray attended New Sweden School, O.E. Bell Jr. High, graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1954. Ray worked on the family farm while attending school, played sports and enjoyed taking machine shop. He was a member of the last Sophomore class of IFHS on 7th Street and in the first Junior class of IFHS when it opened on Holmes Ave in 1952. Ray enlisted in the Army in 1955 after being turned down for a job with Phillips Petroleum at the site due to his 1A draft status. He served in the Army from 1955 through 1957. Ray went to Basic Training at Fort Riley, KS and was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany in Company C and the SVC Company, 86th Infantry Regiment, 10th Infantry Division, first as a Gunner on a 3.5 Rocket Launcher (Bazooka) then as a Personnel Specialist. Ray was part of Operation Gyroscope where the 10th Infantry Division replaced the 1st Infantry Division which had been stationed in Germany since the end of WWII. Operation Gyroscope was the first rotation of entire divisions between the United States and Germany. Ray discharged from the Army as a Sergeant (E-5). During his days off in Germany he and friends toured parts of Europe and enjoyed Oktoberfest. One of his fondest memories was meeting Bess and Harry Truman in the club car on a train to Fort Riley. Harry was kind enough to sign a napkin, which was proudly displayed in his house, thanking Ray for his service.

After his service Ray briefly worked as a laborer at NRF and then attended Idaho State College graduating with a finance and accounting degree in 1962. Ray worked in finance and accounting for 7 different companies during his time at the Idaho National Laboratory site, starting with Westinghouse Electric Corporation at NRF and retiring from Lockheed-Martin Idaho Technologies Company in 1995 as a budget analyst and nuclear material accountant (financial) after 33 years at the site.

Ray met his future wife Madge in 1958 at the 49’ers Ball in Jackson, WY. He was over checking out the scenery, and Madge was on a ski trip with friends. Ray and Madge were married at the Holy Rosary Parish, lived briefly in Pocatello while Ray finished his degree at ISC, then moved back to Idaho Falls where they raised their family.

He enjoyed sharing stories about the summer of 1954, when he put up hay on a ranch outside of Armistead, MT. Back home, he spent many seasons helping on the family farm and his friends’ farms during harvest season, often taking Chuck and Cindy along once they were old enough. Some of his fondest memories came from hunting pheasants and ducks on the farm and teaching them how to shoot and fish. Throughout his life, he found joy in spending time with friends and family- whether fishing, hunting, camping, playing softball, or enjoying time at the family’s cabin at Henry’s Lake. He was also an avid bowler for 70 years and was recognized in 2018 for 64 years of participation in Idaho Falls American 10 Pin bowling leagues. In later years, he took up golf and especially enjoyed traveling to NASCAR races with Brenda.

He supported and encouraged his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their education, learning about life, and supporting their music and sport activities (water skiing, sledding, soccer, softball, hockey, baseball, volleyball and gymnastics). He enjoyed time with his family, traveling and seeing new things. You could often find Ray wandering off to explore local history and interesting sites during their travels.

Although not a member of the Catholic Church, Ray faithfully supported Mom and his children in their practice of the faith

A joint funeral service will be held for Ray and Madge, after which Ray will be laid to rest beside the love his life at the Snake River Canyon National Cemetery.

The family extends our heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at EIRMC for their compassionate care and support during Ray’s final days. Your kindness made a difference in our lives. The family would also like to thank Brio Home Health Care for their support and care they have shown over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers please send a memorial donation to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en/), the National Museum of the United States Army (https://www.thenmusa.org/), the United Service Organization (USO) (https://www.uso.org), or a veteran’s organization of your choice.

Rosary and Visitation will be from 6-8pm on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Buck-Murphey Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30am on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Christ the King Church.

Interment will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at the Snake River Canyon National Cemetery.