Ray D. Lutes

Ray D. Lutes, 70, passed away February 17, 2020 in Olympia, Washington. He was born December 19, 1949 to Ray and Ada Lutes at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington. Over the years, he lived in Clarkston, Washington (1989-2016); Olympia (2016-2020, 1963-1989); Shelton, Washington; Walla Walla, Washington; Spokane, Washington; and in Germany and Africa while his father was in the military. Ray attended Shelton High School, and graduated from Olympia’s North Thurston High School in 1967. In 1973, he earned a BS in pre-med from Gonzaga University in Spokane, and in 1978, a JD degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law in Tacoma, Washington. He was a legal intern in the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office (1976-1977); research attorney with Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in Olympia (1977-1979), and a policy analyst through the Washington State Office of Financial Management in Olympia (1979-1981). Ray went into private practice with the Law Office of Stephen T. Garmick PS in Chehalis, Washington (November 1981 – February 1983); Law Offices of Thomas J. Taylor in Olympia (March 1983 – April 1986); and became partner at Barckley, Kopp, Lutes & Mitchell in Olympia (April 1986 – January 1990). Ray then became Asotin County, Washington, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (January 1990 – July 1992; Asotin County Superior County Prosecuting Attorney (August 1992 – November 1999); and Asotin County District Judge (November 1999 – December 2015). Ray married Vickie Ann Moore on May 5, 1973 in Walla Walla. He was a loving husband, and a wonderful, loving father to his daughter, Ann. Among his greatest joys were playing pool with Ann or watching her dance! He also enjoyed helping others whenever he could. He also loved to make people laugh. Ray’s hobbies and interests were wide ranging, and included falconry, fly fishing and tying flies, pheasant hunting, and deer hunting. He loved wine making, story writing, and playing racquetball, softball, and poker. He also enjoyed hosting friends for barbecues. Among Ray’s many affiliations/memberships are the Washington State Bar Association, Thurston County Bar Association, Asotin Bar Association, Washington State Prosecutors’ Association, Asotin County Law and Justice Council (past president), Special Prosecutor for Benton County, District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association, Quad Cities Drug Task Force Advisory Councilmember, Family Friends (anti-child abuse group), YMCA Committees/Counselor, CCAPSA (Foster Parent Program), Relay for Life Team Member, Boy Scouts of America (past Regional Representative), Clarkston Rotary Club, Clarkston Lions Club, Washington Falconers’ Association (past president), North American Falconers’ Association (past state representative), and Kelly Creek Fly Caster Program. He also was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Olympia, and Holy Family Catholic Church in Clarkston. Ray is survived by his wife of 46 years, Vickie Ann Lutes; daughter, Ann Marie Sanders; son-in-law, Michael George Sanders; sisters, Reneey Rae O’Reilly, and Linda Rae Robb; and brother-in-law, Ross C. Robb, who he considered a brother. Ray was predeceased by his parents. Services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 1109 Chestnut St., Clarkston, WA 99403. Memorial donations in check form made out to Mayo Clinic/Neurodegenerative Research Group may be mailed to Dr. Keith Josephs, Neurodegenerative Research Group at Mayo Clinic, Office of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905. If you have questions, you may call 507-284-8540 or email [email protected]. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.