Conrad Albert Pray
August 13, 1922 - July 7, 2013
Obituary
Conrad Albert Pray will be remembered as a loving father and husband. He and his brothers Clement and Clarence were the first recorded triplets born in Duluth, Minnesota on August 13, 1922.
His father Bill, became a widower just six months after the birth of the triplets, leaving him to raise his seven sons and a daughter alone. At the young age of five, Conrad and brothers were moved to Seattle where his father worked with the railroad. Struggling within the Great Depression era, Bill depended housekeepers, other families, and the local area CCC camps to take in his sons in exchange for help on their farmsteads. These difficult times instilled lessons that were passed on to his family. His philosophy was to lend a helping hand and with hard work we can survive the toughest of times. We can still hear him say, “Quit your whining. I’ll tell you what tough times are.” We know now that these words were given with love, taught us to stand strong, and we became successful, self-sufficient adults.
At the age of 20, October 1942 the triplets were inducted to the United States Army. A photo of the triplet’s induction appeared in the Seattle Times. Conrad was trained for the Army infantry and deployed to North Africa and Italy. He later became a Medic after being wounded in Italy. He served until December 1945. During his time in service he developed a sense of belonging and family with his comrades of the field, something that he did not have as a child. He held dear memories of his time in service and often shared his stories with his family and friends.
In 1952, Conrad met his wife Mary Ann while helping his cousin move into a Seattle boarding house. After several months of persistence, he gathered up his courage and asked her surly father for her hand in marriage. Her father countered with the question, “What will you do when the kids start coming?” They were married, September 26, 1953. Together they raised four children. They would have been married 60 years this September.
Conrad worked as a painter in various positions throughout the years, and retired from the State of Washington in 1986. He enjoyed playing the train whistles for Christmas morning revelry to wake up the kids. He loved to play baseball with family and neighbors. Summers were spent camping throughout the northwest. He was also a talented artist –drawing, oil painting and wood working. He shared his work with family and friends, and was honored when one of his paintings was hung in the capitol building in Olympia. He shared his passions by teaching his children and grandchildren his talents. He loved music, especially Barbershop quartets and Celtic music. Once retired, he and Mary Ann enjoyed travel – packing up the motorhome to hit the road with friends. They had the opportunity to take multiple trips and cruises abroad.
Conrad will be remembered for his love of his family, charm, sharp wit, practical jokes, and playfulness. Children were always at ease and entertained by him. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, his son Jim (Veronica), his daughters Shirley, Sharon (Alan) and Tina (Guy); eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
So sorry for your loss Mary Ann, my sincere sympathy to you and your family.