He cleared land and established a farm in the wilderness south of Clearwater Lake.

He married Alice Ludtke in 1932 and they raised three children, Nancy, Doug and Bob.

The Ray family decided to move to the North Thompson Valley in 1946, mainly so the children could receive a school education instead of by correspondence.

In December 1947, John Ray trekked into his old homestead and died there from a heart attack.

[2] Mount Ray is best viewed from a plane and its bright red color contrasts with the forest below.