Orin Raymond Champlin, Jr., 81, of Melrose, Mont., passed away on Nov. 29, 2014, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Mont., surrounded by his family.

He was born in Minneapolis on May 4, 1933 to Orin and Vera Champlin. He went to St. Olaf College and enjoyed singing in the choir. After graduating he taught music in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Montana.

He married Lois Dobak in 1959 and they moved to Helena, Mont. in 1967, where he taught at the Helena High School for 23 years. Since his retirement, he divided his time between England, Florida, and Montana.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Eva Marie Champlin. Ray is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lois; sister, Winnefred Jean Jones; children, Orin Champlin and wife Linda Hopple, Kari Hand, and Chris Champlin and wife Wanda; grandchildren, Breanna Champlin, Alliya Champlin, Brisanna Champlin, Deshawn Lewis, Jessica Levritt, and Rachael Marx; and great-grandchildren, Lyli Peinhardt, Deshawn Champlin, and Tiffany Champlin.