Raymond Douglas Danielsen was born at the Brush Hospital, November 11, 1938, the fifth child and the second son of Chris Danielsen and Helen Lucille Stover Danielsen.       He grew up in the rural area north of Brush. Ray passed away on Saturday morning, January 27, 2018, at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, following several years of declining health.  Ray had been a resident of Eben Ezer since the fall of 2017.

Following graduation from Brush High School, Ray attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. After 5 years at CU he was drafted into the United States Army in 1962. He completed basic training and was invited to attend officers' candidate school, but declined the offer.  Ray was stationed in England throughout his military career.  After being discharged in May 1964, he returned to Colorado and resumed his studies at CU where he earned degrees in science (with an emphasis on chemistry and physics) and mathematics.  From occasional comments it is believed that Ray intended to pursue a career in teaching but the draft and subsequent events, including the flood of 1965 and an accident on the farm in which his father suffered major injuries, put that career choice on hold.

Ray worked on the family farm and Danielsen Apiaries with his father and brother Bob until 1966, when he was recruited by both the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency. Following interviews with both, he accepted a position with the National Security Agency.  He returned to England to live and work and enjoyed traveling extensively throughout Europe during that time. Due to restrictions imposed by the National Security Act, he was never able to discuss that part of his life.  When asked about his involvement with NSA he would invariably respond with a wry smile and a comment:  "I would tell you, but then I would have to kill you."

After returning to Brush he lived with his parents as they aged, working at Danielsen Apiaries. After the death of his father, Ray and his brother Bob formed the

R and B Honey Company to operate the apiaries and the farm.

Throughout his many years in Brush, Ray served the community in many ways.     He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Brush Housing Authority where he served as director for a number of years. He served on the Board of Directors of the East Morgan County Hospital, as well as on the Board of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center. Ray was involved with Habitat for Humanity, not only on the business side, but also swinging a hammer and constructing walls.  There are bronze plaques in several buildings in the community that bear his name, often as President of the Board

He was active in many organizations including the Brush Rodeo Association, Brush Rotary, the Brush Jaycee Chapter and the Republican Party Committee. With the Jaycee's he served in many offices including President, and became one of two members of the Brush Jaycee's honored by election to the rank of JCI Senator.

Ray grew up in a family that lived their deep faith in God, as many generations before them had. As a life-long member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, he was very active in the church, serving on the council and various committees, teaching confirmation and Sunday school, partaking in bible studies, and generally sharing his love of God.

Following retirement from the Housing Authority, Ray worked in both computer and retail operations in Brush and Fort Morgan. After the death of his mother, Ray returned to live in the "Father House", built by his grandfather located north of Brush. He devoted much of his spare time to the refurbishing of the ancestral home and maintaining family memories.

Ray never married. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Helen Ann Wood, Mary Lou Danielsen and Donna J. Rock, as well as his brother Robert (Bob) Danielsen and a nephew, Blaine Hildebrand. He is survived by his sister Betty Jean Danielsen of San Jose, California, nine nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren, and a host of cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 Custer Street, Brush Colorado, on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 1:00 pm, followed by fellowship. Memorials may be made in Ray's honor to Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush or Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Brush.