Ray Engel and his wife Frankie stand with the Currin family in 2011, from left to right: Ron Currin, Rayanne Engel-Currin and their twins Rayna and Riley Currin.
CLEMENTS, CALIF. – Retired Fire Chief Raymond “Ray” Engel passed on April 19, 2021 at 81 years of age. Ray passed at his home in Clements with wife of 58 years, Frankie, at his side. Born in Lodi, Calif., on June 14, 1939 to Fredrick Alvin Engel and Marie Elisabeth Geringer. Married to Frances “Frankie” Granlees on February 3, 1963. Proud father to Robert David Engel and Rayanne Marie Engel-Currin and “Papa” to his grandchildren twins Riley and Rayna Currin.
He was a lifelong farmer/rancher and Chief of Clements Fire Protection District for 27 years. He was very active in his community including involvement in the Clements Buckaroos, Chairman of the Clements Stampede for many years. Other involvements included the Chamber of Commerce, and the Mokelumne Mounties Drill Team.
Ray and Frankie volunteered at the Bob Feist Invitational in Reno until 2011, helping out at the arena and the host hotel wherever they were needed.
A service was held April 30 at the fire station in Clements he loved so much and worked to build up.