Raymond Joseph Van Ham

Raymond Joseph Van Ham, 67, passed away Jan. 21, 2018, in Channelview, Texas.

He was born March 1, 1950, in Butte. The family moved to Whitefish in 1954. After graduation from Whitefish High School he went to work at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant.

He went to work for the Whitefish Police Department in 1974 and attended Police Academy in Bozeman. He retired in 1990 as patrol sergeant.

He married Kathleen Ritter and after they divorced he moved to Baytown, Texas, and joined the Harris County Precinct, where he taught educational classes. He had 33 years in law enforcement.

He married Margaret Nieto and moved to Channelview where he resided until his death.

Joe loved spending time with his boys, fishing and hunting and playing with the grandkids. He was an avid Bobcat fan and continued watching games from Texas.

He was preceded in death by both parents, Robert and Martha Van Ham; and one brother, Fredrick Van Ham.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; two sons, Marty (Becky) Van Ham of Huffman, Texas, and Justin (Leslie) Van Ham of Huffman; and two stepsons, Jonathan (Liz) Bullin and Jeremy Nieto, both of Channelview; three sisters, Bobbi (Mike) Janetski of Kalispell, Jean (Ron) Kuder of Lakeside, and Shirley (Dave) Johnson of Whitefish; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.

A celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Cremation has already taken place.