Ray Wayne Hellberg

Ray Wayne Hellberg 1929 ~ 2006 Ray Wayne Hellberg of Layton, Utah, passed away June 12, 2006 due to complications from vascular surgery. He was born January 10, 1929 in Garfield, Utah, a son of Karl David Emanuel Hellberg and Dorothy McCarty Hellberg. He was raised in Brigham City, Utah and lived there until his senior year in high school. He graduated from Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California in 1946 and lived and worked there until he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War era. He participated in front line action with "C" Company of the 7th Cav. Reg., 1st Cav. Div. where he received the Purple Heart. After his discharge he attended Chaffey Junior College in Ontario, California until he transferred to Brigham Young University where he received his B.A. degree in Art in 1955. He taught Art in the B.Y.U. Laboratory Training School for five years until he accepted a position with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He received a M.A. degree in Art from B.Y.U. in 1962 and received a D.Ed Degree in Art Education from The Pennsylvania State University in 1970. He taught art and art education for 37 years having taught at Brigham Young University, Texas Tech University, The Pennsylvania State University, and Utah State University where he taught the last 23 years prior to his retirement in 1994. For eight of his years at U.S.U. he served as Head of the Art Department. He was active in community and education associations. Some of the positions he held were President of the Board for the Lubbock Day-care Nurseries, President of Utah Art Education Association, member of the States Assembly and president of the States Assembly for National Art Education Association. He married Juanita Berwald in April of 1956. They had four children. Following a divorce he married Jill Wilhelmsen Lambert July 18, 1981 receiving a bonus of four more children. With common interests in family, church, sports, travel, painting and education they spent 24 joyous years together before she preceded him in death. He served many various callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His favorite callings were serving as co-teacher with his wife Jill in Gospel Doctrine classes, and serving with her as a senior couple on a mission to Argentina. Their common interest in exploring ancient Inca, Mayan, Aztec and Olmec ruins took them to many countries. They held common sports interests in tennis, skiing, sail-boarding, swimming and snorkeling. Ray loved life and enjoyed it to its fullest. His most important treasures were his family. He is survived by his sister Charone Smith of Provo, Utah; eight children, Karl Hellberg, Logan, Utah; Eric Hellberg, Vernal, Utah; Vicki Thorpe, American Fork, Utah; Heidi Buttars, Ankeny, Iowa; Lori Griffin, South Jordan, Utah; Robert Lambert, Sanford, North Carolina; Challi Alred and Charone McCann and 18 grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Hidden Hollow Ward, 1954 East Antelope Drive in Layton. Friends and family may call on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary of Layton, 250 North Fairfield Road and at the church one hour prior to services. You may send condolences to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com