Wanted to share my heartfelt ..Thank you to all who said prayers, and kind thoughts in response to my brother Rays accident few weeks ago. He was in a very serious bicycle accident, he was admitted to OHSU Hosp. He had a massive brain trauma injury and broken ribs, amonst many scapes. So he was heavily sedated and in a comatose state. Dr.s did all they could to take down swelling/ bleeding in his brain for days. Over next week my oldest brother Steve and his wife Bonnie would go in and I'd be on conference call for many Dr. Updates. There wasn't much to do but wait. Pray and wait.🙏🏻 As time moved by he was not responding to any measures of responsiveness. My Brothers Steve, Mike and their wives Bonnie Halferty and Jerri-lynn Halferty and I all stood in belief that God is in control. We prayed for and over Ray for a miracle in healing. Knowing God is capable. Unfortunately when the only option was to sustain him through coma and extreme measures. We all agreed over what Ray's wishes would be. Ray was 65 years old. He had told his brother in law (Larry Finley) a few years back during our sisters death.(Cathy Finley) that he would not want to be in long time care nor on machines to live. Ray was pretty quiet, witty, humorous, a harsh character at times, self sufficient person and kept to himself mostly. He loved to draw, paint and create art. Using his talent and creativity with chalk mostly. Made some very large canvas paintings of bridges, few animals, streets, cities, large trucks and automobiles of all kinds. He would spend hours for many years. He made to many to count and sold some to pay for his supplies to make more. I put in 2 that I had. Steve will be preserving others carefully in a flat, stable case so our family can remember him and his love for art. Ray was a comical guy at saying some of the craziest things, and at times he would tell Steve things he remembered from childhood days, which is inspiring. He enjoyed the months he lived and worked with our Dad and brother Mike in Hawaii. ( Dad passed away at 64- cancer) Ray was a very hard worker, also strong and loved to ride his bike extremely fast, which may of brought him to his demise. He liked to go to church with our Mom and Dad. When our Mother passed away at 76, he remained living with her husband David Stover for many years. Dave and Ray became house mates, which I was very grateful for. He worked for the Elks Club near Mall205 for many years and Milwaukie Elks(25yrs) Dishwasher. Did landscaping and mowing many neighbors lawns. Later as a busses and dishwasher at Biscuits Cafe in Oak Grove. Ray was a fun brother and handsome. Was my parents second son. He loved fishing on our Grandfather's boat when we'd go deep sea fishing in Depoe Bay, or on our many family camping vacations. Steve and Ray would even put together go carts using car parts or lawn mower engines. Me being the youngest of five. I remember Ray as always quiet, very talented at art early on. Caring toward his parents and to us siblings. At the age of 16 he was in a very serious car accident and was in a coma for a few months, from a severe brain injury, and the steering wheel had punctured his chest. I remember my parents and our church praying for healing , believing in a miracle AND Ray did recover.Thank you Jesus.He fought the good fight, stayed committed to regain life with a lot of work. Not to many people go through life with 2 major brain injuries this severe and at his age now of 65. So we know That from years of his claim of knowing God, loving jesus and what jesus did for us on the cross. Ray was thankful and had the hope of his eternal home being heaven. Seeing his parents again & our sister. Both maternal and paternal Grandparents there, & Aunts and Uncles there. We will all look forward to when our time comes about. Each one of us will stand before our maker. God is a good good father and His promises are true. I stood on not looking at the circumstances, believing for God to bring a miracle in reviving Ray like I know He could just as He did many years ago. His ways are final. None of us know our hour. When we decided to remove measures Ray died with in 9 hours of being removed. I felt at peace as well as Steve, Bonnie, Mike and Jerri-lynn. No one should have to do this in their lifetime.It is not pleasant to see your loved ones go at any age or situation. "I know this world is not our home". I am assured in my heart that Ray would have said... "Thank you and see you soon," with a smile. To be absent in body and in God's presence will be a blessing. Life is as a vapor in time. Soon we will see each other again. James 4:14 And yet we cannot tell what shall be tomorrow for what is life?.It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and afterward vanishes away. RIP Raymond Dale Halferty. 8-1-2025