Baker City, Oregon
Raymond Francis Pullen, 86, a longtime Baker City resident, and former longtime mayor/police chief and fire chief in Haines, died Sept. 10, 2001, at his home.
His graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Haines Cemetery. Pastor Sally Wiens of the United Methodist Church of North Powder will officiate. Visitations will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave.
Mr. Pullen was born Feb. 27, 1915, at Wakefield, Neb., to Marion Francis Pullen and Emma Lena Fuoss Pullen. His family lived on a small farm near Wakefield and he attended school in that community.
When Mr. Pullen was about 17, he and some friends left Wakefield on two lengthy westward treks, visiting many areas along the way, including the Los Angeles Basin. On the second trip, he worked for a time in Payette, Idaho, where he met and courted Norva E. Inman. They were married on Oct. 13, 1935. Mrs. Pullen died on Aug. 9, 2001.
Mr. Pullens early employment was quite varied, but he soon realized his talent as a restaurant cook and manager. He and his wife opened their first cafe in North Powder, and after about 14 months, they opened Rays Cafe at Haines. The two of them operated that cafe for 30 years.
While living at Haines, Mr. Pullen was mayor/chief of police for eight years and fire chief for 20 years. During his entire term as fire chief, he donated his salary to a city trust fund for the purchase of fire equipment.
The Pullens sold Ray’s Cafe and moved to Baker City in 1966, where they lived for 35 years. During that period, Mr. Pullen worked many years for the Basche-Sage Co., managing the sporting goods department and, later, the new store located in the old Safeway building. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed collecting old equipment related to those sports.
Survivors include three nieces, Barbara Bond of Shingletown, Calif., Bonnie Schuenker of South Sioux City, Neb., and Dolores Miller of Rapid City, S.D.; six nephews, Kerry Lay of Ashland, Roger Inman of Tallahassee, Fla., John Inman of Salinas, Calif., Jewell “Corky” Bottger of Tekemah, Neb., Virgil Pullen of Sioux City, Iowa, and Kenny Pullen of Rapid City, Neb.
He also was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, Ore., 97814.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, September 21, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
