Country Ray Salquist

Country Ray Salquist, age 55 of Kempner, Texas passed away on the morning of May 14, 2023, surrounded by his family.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove, Texas.

Country was born on March 31, 1968, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Terry Salquist and Shirley Rossman Salquist.  He grew up and attended school in Schertz, Texas, Copperas Cove, Texas, and Spooner, Wisconsin.

He graduated from commercial diving school in Houston, Texas in 1993 and worked off the Texas, and Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico as a Commercial Diver for 21 years; attended truck driving school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before driving cross-country and locally, and finally hauling milk in Spooner, until December 2022.

Country enjoyed many outdoor activities such as kayak fishing in Louisiana, and Wisconsin, as well as boating and motorcycle riding.  He enjoyed and loved his numerous friends and treasured family gatherings.  Most recently he enjoyed taking his dog Rocky to dog parks and to his favorite swimming hole at home in Wisconsin.

He unapologetically lived life with the throttle wide open.  He viewed the world clearly through an old-school lens unfiltered by the “correctness” expected in American life today.  He was also wise enough to live an uncomplicated life, free to pursue his many passions like family, friends, and fishing.  With a unique and enchanting personality, Country connected in a personal way with just about everyone that was fortunate enough to meet him. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Terry; Stepfather, Chuck Nagle; Uncle Brad, Uncle Lyle, Aunt Jill; sister, Belinda; brother-in-law, James; brother, Mike; and niece, Kassidi.

Country is survived by his mother, Shirley Nagle; brothers, Eric Salquist, Jim, and Jeff Nagle; sister, Debbie Sharp; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his beloved dog, Rocky.

He will be buried in the family plot in Spooner, WI at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Neal Rosenberg, in care of Gov. Tommy G. Thompson Hatchery, 951 West Maple Street, Spooner, Wisconsin, or to the American Cancer Society.

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