| At death, water skier's 1,000-mile record still stands |
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| Written by catholicsentinel.org |
| Sunday, 30 October 2011 14:40 |
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A funeral Mass officiated by Father John Amsberry was celebrated at St. Joseph the Worker Church.
Mr. DeFir was born June 21, 1930, in El Paso, Texas. He grew up in Portland and Vanport and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. After working for Freightliner Corp. in the 1950s, he started his own boat-building and moorage business. He was well known for his classic mahogany DeFir and Rayson Craft boats. Family and friends recall fondly DeFir’s stories about his times on the water, often shared around bonfire during get-togethers.
In the middle of an August night in 1958, the the marathon ski trip started at 12:17 a.m. Friday and ended at 9:44 a.m. Saturday. According to DeFir, the last 250 miles were rough, once fatigue and monotony kicked in. His right foot was tender from the constant trip hammer action of the ski on the water, so he spent most of the final 200 miles standing on his left leg only. He fell asleep twice on his feet, despite the upbeat five tunes blasting from a portable radio around his neck.
While he skied, DeFir ate two quarts of soup, three sandwiches, three pieces of chicken (two dropped in the water) and one orange, and drank a quart of chocolate milk and 12 stubbies of beer.
DeFir taught people all around the area to waterski over the years. His home and business were both located in Corbett.
DeFir and his friend and colleague Bill Lauderback claimed to be the first water skiers take off from the dock backwards on one waterski while facing toward shore. Another bonfire-side story: DeFir maintained that he was the first person to waterski while being pulled by a plane.
“Just last night I was out on the river in my DeFir and loving every moment of it,” wrote one fan in the boating legend’s obituary tribute. “[I] think of Ray every time I take the boat out. Ray contributed so much to boating and to all of us who had the privilege to learn from him.”
He is survived by his wife, Lorita; son, Steve DeFir; daughter, Jan Phillips; stepdaughters, Natalie Gras and Christine Banks (Jimmy); eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary DeFir; and brother, Charles DeFir.
Memorial donations can be made to the Oregon Humane Society.
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 30 October 2011 14:56 |
CORBETT — Ray DeFir, who died Oct. 21, was a Guinness world record holder for waterskiing 1,000 miles nonstop on the Columbia River in 33 hours and 27 minutes. He undertook the marathon ski trip in 1958, and his record still stands.