John Ray Waffensmith Obit

JOHN RAY WAFFENSMITH, 87, of Bay Lake Township died on Nov. 30, 2019 at Golden Horizons in Aitkin.  He was born on Oct. 11, 1932 in Brainerd to Ralph and Ida (Swing) Waffensmith. John graduated from the Agriculture School in Grand Rapids. He farmed in the Bay Lake area with turkey and beef operation for many years. He married Delores Ferrari on Sept. 13, 1952.  John was co-owner and operator of the Crosby Bar, Snow Hut Marina and Snowmobile dealership, earning the honor of having the largest Scorpion Dealership in the world. For 20 years he was employed at the Mille Lacs Lake Grand Casino as a security guard. He was well known as Lamont Sanford of the Sanford and Son fame in many local parades. John married Amy Beach-Hale on Oct. 15, 1988.
Preceding John in death are his parents; one brother, Robert Waffensmith and two grandchildren, Maria Waffensmith and Zachary Waffensmith.
John is survived by his wife Amy; two sons, John Waffensmith of Englewood, CO, and Greg (Kim) Waffensmith of Deerwood; three daughters, Pam Weber of Clearwater, Sue (Bill) Gordon of Crosby, Debbie Vukelich of Buffalo; step son, Steven Hale of Sartell; two step daughters, Lori (Rick) Paulson of Deerwood and Sherri Phillips of Hackensack;