Ray Charles Lehmann

Mr. Ray C Lehmann, a Lacey resident since 1982, died on October 5th, 2021, at the age of 77 years old at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia, WA. Mr. Lehmann died of Congestive Heart Failure, COPD, Kidney Disease, and Diabetes. Mr. Lehmann was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on August 28th, 1944. His parents were Edward Charles Lehmann and Evelyn C. Eberhard-Lehmann. In 1953, his mother and brother, Paul were killed in a car accident. Mr. Lehmann graduated from Houston High School in 1962 and attended Mankato State University. After his graduation from college, Mr. Lehmann joined the Army in 1966 through 1969. He completed a tour in Vietnam and earned the Silver Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaves, Valorous Unit Award, Vietnam Services Medal with one Silver Services Star and one Bronze Services Star, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal- First Class Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge, Vietnam Service April 1st, 1968, through November 4th, 1969. While working with Morrison Knudson of Boise, Idaho, Mr. Lehmann joined the Army Reserve there around 1977 and transferred around 1979 to Virginia. Mr. Lehmann worked for MK Co, and overseas for RMK-BRJ Co (Vietnam) out of Boise, Idaho. Ray Traveled the USA and overseas as an Internal Auditor. He worked in Consocio Kavanayen, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. He visited Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines. In the USA, He lived in Minnesota (his ancestral state), Idaho, North Carolina, Virginia, New York State, and Washington State. In 1982, he made Washington his home and worked for the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries as a field auditor, until he became ill in 1998, which forced Mr. Lehmann to retire. Mr. Ray C. Lehmann loved God and his country. After his military service, he suffered many health issues connected to his service. Mr. Lehmann was a Methodist, a member of the VFW and the American Legion. He loved collecting cars and spending time with family. He also enjoyed reading books and the newspaper. Ray never spoke about his military service. He was a very quiet, gentle, friendly, well-mannered man who never had anything bad to say about anyone. Mr. Lehmann's favorite Hymn was "Jesus Loves Me", written by William Batchelder Bradbury. Mr. Lehmann is survived by his wife, Maria Lehmann, daughter, Diane Lehmann, grandson, David Balam, sisters Sara L. Thomas and her husband, Gary Thomas (New Albin, Iowa) and Jean Lehmann (Cuencas, Ecuador) and her ex-husband, Gary Hirmer (Fort Myers, Florida), and his half-brother, Mark Lehmann. Ray is also survived by his cousin, Benjamin Lehmann of Hokah, Minnesota. He is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews that reside in Minnesota and across the nation. Mr. Lehmann was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Eberhard-Lehmann, his brother, Paul Lehmann, his father, Edward Charles Lehmann, and his stepmother, Lillian Heinz-Lehmann. Mr. Lehmann's final resting place will be in La Crescent, Minnesota at the South Ridge United Methodist Church's Hillcrest Cemetery on Chicken Rudge Road. He will be laid to rest next to his family. Ray, we will miss you, but you are no longer suffering. Rest in Peace, My Love. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Foundation, the COPD Foundation, and the PTSD Foundation of America.