Ray Earl "Chuck" Harbolt

Ray Earl "Chuck" Harbolt passed away in Renton, WA June 30th 2024. He was born August 19, 1934 in Chinook, Montana to Glen M. and Daisy E. (Thompson) Harbolt. He was the youngest of four children. Ray was raised on a ranch / farm north of Chinook in the Cherry Ridge Community, and went to Chinook Public Schools. He graduated from Chinook High School in the class of 1952. While living in town during the school year, Ray was a member of the Sugarbeeter band and football team. In addition to this, he apprenticed as a butcher at a local butcher shop. During the summer, he helped his family with the ranch. After graduating from high school, Ray became a proud radioman in the U.S. Navy, and served time in Korea. In 2017, he was presented with the Ambassador of Freedom medal by the government of South Korea for his service during the war.

After time in the Navy, Ray attended the University of Montana, graduating with a B.S. in Banking and Finance. He later received his MBA from Indiana University. He married Carol McGuire on June 17, 1956. The couple lived in various places including Montana, Spokane, Issaquah, and Maple Valley Washington. Ray and Carol have three children: Deanna, Larry, and Kathryn, and often opened their home to other children and young adults in need of a place to live. In addition to his family, Ray spent 17 years in the savings and loan business, where he was vice president of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, and a senior vice president of Great Western Savings and Loan. He had a second career as a business officer for the Lutheran Bible Institute / Trinity Lutheran College. Ray was quite a storyteller, and wherever he went in his travels locally or world wide, he always met someone who knew someone he knew. Ray had very clever wit and had various ways of expressing it. One of his favorite sayings was, "It is far better to procrastinate than to never have done anything at all!"

Ray and Carol were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Issaquah, WA for 55 years. Ray was also an active member of the Issaquah Kiwanis Club, and a member of VFW Post 5052 of Maple Valley – Black Diamond, WA and also volunteered at Tahoma National Cemetery for a number of years. In addition to this, he enjoyed matting and framing pictures for others. One of Ray's great passions was attending and viewing a variety of sporting events with his son, Larry. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol, his mother and father; his sisters, Joan Stremcha and June McBride; and his brother, Jim Harbolt.

Ray is survived by his daughter Deanna Harbolt Hayes (Michael), son Larry R. Harbolt, daughter Kathryn A. Rotter (Matthew), grandchildren Zachary Rotter, Daniel Harbolt, Emma R. Nolan (Andrew), Joel Rotter, Jamie Harbolt, and great granddaughters Josephine and Drew Nolan.

Ray cared deeply about others and always found ways to connect with people. It was his joy to help others. In honor of Ray, and in lieu of flowers or other memorials, we ask you to consider connecting with someone else in a way that will impact their life in a positive way.

A Celebration of Life service for Ray Harbolt will take place on Monday, August 19, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow the service. The church is located at 745 Front Street S. Issaquah, WA 98027. Interment with full military honors will precede the service at Tahoma National Cemetery beginning at 9:30 a.m. The cemetery is located at 18600 S.E. 240th St. Kent, WA 98042.

All are welcome.