Norman \"Ray\" Albee passed away on July 26, 2020 peacefully in his sleep, from complications from a short term illness. He was born to John and Edna Albee in Berlin, CT. on Jan. 5th, 1934. He was one of two boys, he the eldest.

He graduated from Freeport, NY high school and enrolled into Hofstra Univ. , graduating in 1957. Soon after, Ray signed up for service with the United States Air Force and after graduating basic and officers training, took on flight school and then eventually into helicopter training. He qualified to fly the Kamin HH - 43B helicopter current used then for Air Rescue in the Air Force.

Ray was ordered to Vietnam in the early 60\'s and served several tours during a 3 yr period. In 1968 he was flown home to the United States, assigned to Nellis AFB Nevada, and became Detachment Commander in the 14th at WARRC, A MAC Command. While there Ray met and fell in love with his wife, Norma and they had a Full Military Honors Wedding.

In 1968, Ray achieved The Airman\'s Medal with 1 OLC for Distinguished Flying and Courage during a harrowing rescue mission in inclement weather, in the nearby mountains of Nevada, retrieving several people off a narrow ledge, including a mother and child.

After service, Ray and Norma found Kent, WA and set up home in 1974 after mustering out. Ray found a position with the Dept of Natural Resources as a pilot for putting out fires. He qualified and used H1 Hueys, & they were designed for fire control for the Washington State Air Group. In between fire seasons, he owned a mobile auto repair service. Ray and Norma never had children but rallied around his brother\'s two sons and grand children. In 1979, his wife Norma passed from a long-term bout with cancer.

Ray retired in the late 90\'s from DNR. His long term hobbies were Cars, model cars, and Stamps and watching AMERICAN PICKERS on the A&E Channel.

He is survived by his brother Harlan Gene Albee and his wife, in Tennessee, and one nephew, Christopher and two grand nieces in Ohio.

Services will be held on Monday, Aug 3rd, 2020 at 12noon - 1pm , with Viewing held prior to that from 10am to 12 noon, at Sumner Voiles Funeral Chapel at 15124 Main St. E., Sumner, WA 98390.

His internment, with Full Military Honors, will be held at a later date at Tahoma National Cemetery, in Kent, WA.

In lieu of flowers, if chosen, donations can be made in Norman Ray & Norma Albee\'s names to the American Cancer Society or the USAF Society.

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