Raymond Launder of Sweet Home, Oregon, an expert and fearless tree trimmer for over 40 years, was trimming a tree at his home, 26 November, 2014, when he and a tree battled. The tree won. Falling 54 feet, he died instantly, going the way he would have wanted to go.

Ray and twin brother Ronald were born 3 August, 1955 in Auburn, California to Glenn H. Launder and Anita M. (nee Streppel) Launder. The Launder family moved en mass to Sweet Home in the mid-1970s. Along with his father and brother, Ray worked for Bill Mortimore of Rain Tree Road Construction learning to set chokers, running rock drill, skinning cat, and then on to building and rocking road at the Middle Fork of the Santiam River, gypoing for Weyehaeuser Company.

During the mid 1980s, Ray started Ray Launder Excavating with a single, rubber tire backhoe. Working long hours and many holidays, Ray incorporated the business and changed the name to R & L Excavating, Inc., making it a family business when nephew Robert Leininger started with the company. Ray and Robert continued to grow R & L Excavating, Inc., into a successful business that provides employment for 30 Sweet Home logging families.

Taking over the helm and continuing the family legacy will be his nephews, Robert and Cody Leininger, with help from up and coming generations of Launders and Leiningers, as well as the R & L crew.

Ray built many solid and longtime friendships during his life. He will be forever remembered for his advice (i.e., lectures) and him being up and ready to conquer the day in the early morning hours.

Ray enjoyed restoring old cars, riding four wheelers with family in Glamis, Ca., and his cows, but nothing rivaled his love of hunting.

He is survived by: his wife, Ginger Launder; his daughters, Glenda Launder Jefferson, Mimi Launder, and Amanda Launder; sons, Devan Devlin, and Daylan Devlin; grandchildren, Frankie, Kai, Kassidy, Jaxon, Amelia, Lexi, Paityn, Danner, Chrisitan, Julian, Daisy, and Violet; his mother, Anita Launder; brother, Ivan Launder, and twin brother, Ronald Launder; and sister, Mimi Cleland. He will be deeply missed by family members, close friends, and the R & L crew.

He was preceded in death by: his father, Glenn H. Launder; brother, Robert (Bob) Launder; and nephew, Loyd David Leininger.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at The Shop on Crescent Hill Road, Friday, 5 December, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.