Ray Miles Burden, 81, of Ammon, Idaho, died Sunday, February 19, 2006. He was cared for at home by his wife, Vada, during a long illness. Five days before his death he entered Life Care Center of Idaho Falls where Aspen Home Health and Hospice provided care for him until his death. His family and loved ones comforted him at the time of his passing

He was born April 26, 1924, in Seibert, Colorado, the son of Ray Alfred and Grace M. Patton Burden. He grew up in Bertrand, Nebraska, moved to Shelley in 1937, and then to Ammon in 1938. He graduated from Ammon High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He married Vada D. Morgan Nov. 5, 1942, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After the Army he worked at Johnson's Swedish Bakery until he moved with his wife to Washington State in 1948. They were one of the first farmers to go to the experimental farm in Moses Lake, WA. As a pioneer of the Columbia Basin Project he developed farm land and then farmed in Washington state from 1948 to 1978. He developed land in Pasco, Washington in the area now known as Burden Boulevard. He founded the Desert Hills Real Estate company and worked as a broker, in Pasco, Washington, from 1974 to 2004, marketing farm, orchard and commercial properties. In 2003, he and his wife moved back to Ammon, Idaho.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While living in Othello, WA, he served as city councilman. He enjoyed sports and piloting small aircraft for business and pleasure. He traveled extensively and visited dozens of countries with his wife from 1974 until the time of his passing. His favorite saying was, "I would rather wear out than rust out"and he did.

Survivors include: his wife, Vada, Ammon, ID daughter, Mickey Holmgren (Jon), Mission Viejo, CA daughter, Lana Walker (Jim), Kennewick, WA daughter, Karen Cook (Wylie), Midland, TX daughter, Lori Snyder (Bill), Idaho Falls, ID son, M. Miles Burden (Tracy), Budapest, Hungary brother, Ivan A. Burden (Kathy), Idaho Falls, ID sister, Una Mae Martin (Lloyd), Idaho Falls, ID sister, Esther L. Withers, Oklahoma City, OK sister, Hope Ross, Junction City, OR.

25 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2006, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in Ammon Cemetery.