Raymond T Frost

Raymond (Ray) T. Frost, 90, passed away Sept 29, 2016. Born in Meridian, Oklahoma, July 19, 1926 to Tom & Rose Frost. He moved to Arizona in 1938 where he lived in Phoenix, Payson and Peoria. Ray married Phyllis Hall, in 1944, and together have three sons, Tommy (Judie), Jimmy (Candi). and Danny (Susie, deceased). Ray is preceded in death by Phyllis. He is survived by his three sons; and was blessed with 9 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. During his early years in Arizona, he leveled farm land in Queen Creek. Ray served in the US Navy from 1944-1946 as a Baker 2nd Class. In 1956, Ray and partner, Cecil Foster started Foster and Frost Distributors, dba Sunset Oil Company. Ray also owned the Anvil Rock Cattle Ranch, one of the oldest ranches in Arizona. During the years of owning Sunset Oil, Ray did business in the Town of Payson where he and Phyllis eventually retired. While in Payson, he became instrumental in developing and helping Payson grow into the Town that it is today. Ray served on a number of committees in Payson. The Payson Economic Development Corporation, Community Action Program, Sanitary District Board, Green Valley Park, Take Pride in Payson, Arizona Action Committee, Board member of the American Red Cross, Rim County Hospice. Ray was often referred to as "Mr. Payson" for his contributions to the Town of Payson and surrounding communities. There were two major events that highlighted Ray's volunteer efforts for Payson. He spent countless hours helping with the Dude Fire, in which he organized shelter for the evacuees in homes and motels, as well as coordinating fire fighter support units, Red Cross and other major organizations. The second event was his involvement with the 1404th Army National Guard Unit in the Operation Desert Storm. Ray played an instrumental role in helping "take care of their families", while the troops were in the Persian Gulf and expediting the 1404th's return from the Persian Gulf following the war. The 1404th presented Ray with a 24 karat gold medallion from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm as a thank you gift. Ray was also awarded THE ARIZONA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE METAL and was given the Honorary Rank of CAPTAIN, in the Arizona National Guard by Brigadier General Peter D. Tosi, Jr. During his 50+ years at Sunset Oil Company, Ray was a founding member and past president of the Intermountain Oil Marketers Association and the Independent Petroleum Marketing Association. Ray served on the Phoenix Fire Safety Board, Phoenix High Rise Board, Maricopa County Pollution Control Board, the United States E.P.A. advisory Board and was a Charter member of the Roosevelt Rough Riders in connection with the Boy Scouts of America. A Visitation will be held beginning at 10:00am, Saturday, October 22, 2016 in the Chapel at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009 with Funeral Services beginning at 11:00am followed by a Reception, in Raymond’s honor, in the Hospitality Room at Greenwood.