Raymond Spinti

Raymond "Pops" Walter Spinti, age 89 of Mountain Home, passed away on March 16, 2015, at a local care center. Funeral services, officiated by Pastor Gary Allen, were held Friday, March 20, 2015, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Burial with full military honors followed at Mountain View Cemetery.

Raymond was born Nov. 14, 1925, in Madison, Wis., to Raymond and Sadie Spinti. He joined the Army Air Corps on Jan. 21, 1944, and was honorably discharged in April 1946.

He married Isabella Bertha "Izzy" Cargen on July 12, 1947. Together they had four children: Sharon, Carol, Michael and James.

Ray was called back to active duty and joined the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a senior master sergeant on Feb. 1, 1971. During his military career, he served during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

After he retired, Pops worked driving the Mountain Home High School sport bus to events and the Soldier Mountain Ski Bus. He was a member of the Camp Wilson Barbecue Committee, started Spinti's Sharpening Service then formed Spinti's Enterprises in 1984 with his son, Jim, and wife, Izzy. They built an indoor archery and small arms range located on Air Base Road. After Izzy passed away in 2005, Pops retired from "work."

He was a charter and lifetime member of the Sagebrush Archers of Mountain Home, he was a bowhunter and hunter education instruction, life member of Idaho State Bowhunters, longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church. He was a proud blood donor (22+ gallons) to the American Red Cross.

Pops is survived by his children, Carol (Will) Wall, Jim (Cindy) Spinti, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Izzy, his daughter, Sharon, and son, Michael.