Somers, Ray, 1917-

Ray Somers was born on Nov. 28, 1917, in Garland, Utah. Somers graduated from the Bear River High School in 1936 and attended the Utah State Agricultural College in 1937. In school, Somers discovered his passion for radio and electronics. To support himself through his education, he opened and managed a radio repair shop in the spring of 1938. In 1940, Somers decided to pursue other interests and was employed at the Western Music Company where he assembled and installed Wurlitzer jukeboxes throughout southern Idaho and northern Utah. Ray Somers married Josephine Harris on January 5, 1942. From 1942-1944, Somers taught a radio theory class at Utah State Agricultural College for the United States Navy and following a short period of service in California for the United States Navy, he returned to the radio repair business in 1946. Somers had developed an interest in the preservation of history and historical artifacts, and as his business evolved from radio repair to television and video rental, he was able to incorporate his passion for history and preservation into his work by adding galleries and museums of his collections in the back of his store. He also purchased the home of early Logan settler Charles W. Nibley which he restored. Since that restoration he has opened his home to historical lectures, piano concerts, and tours. In 1969, Somers co-founded the Geneology Club of America and in 1973, he became president of the Cache Valley Historic Society. Other organizations he has been involved with include the Old Main Society, Victorian Society of America, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Logan Kiwanis Club. Somers has also written several historical books which include History of Logan (1993), Hampton Ford and Stage Stop, Box Elder County, Utah, (co-written with Charles Eugene Bigler in 1984), A Tribute to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (1998), and History of Cache Valley (2004).

From the description of Raymond C. Somers photograph collection, 1865-1993 (bulk 1890-1940) (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 61166790

Ray Somers was born on November 28, 1917, in Garland, Utah. He spent his early years working on the family farm in East Garland, Utah. He also delivered the Deseret News to people in surrounding areas. While collecting for his route, Somers was able to converse with descendants of early settlers of Box Elder County, and it was here that his desire to learn about history was nurtured and began to take root. Somers attended and graduated from Bear River High School in 1936 and attended the Utah State Agricultural College in the fall of 1937. In school Somers discovered his passion for radio and electronics. To support himself through his education, he opened and managed a radio repair shop in the spring of 1938. That following summer he began working as a "gandy dancer" for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Rye Patch, Nevada. In 1940, instead of finishing his college degree, Somers decided to pursue other interests and was employed at the Western Music Company where he assembled and installed Wurlitzer jukeboxes throughout southern Idaho and northern Utah.

In the fall of 1940 he met Josephine Harris, whom he later married on January 5, 1942. Somers' interests in radio and electronics and the preservation of history continued to grow throughout the years. From 1942-1944, Somers taught a radio theory class at Utah State Agricultural College for the United States Navy and following a short period of service in California for the United States Navy, he returned to the radio repair business in 1946. As Somers' business evolved from radio repair to video rental and historic press, Somers was able to incorporate his passion for history and preservation into his stores by adding galleries and museums of his collections in the back of his store. He also purchased the home of early Logan settler Charles W. Nibley and began a lengthy restoration process. Since that restoration he has opened his home to the community for historical lectures, piano concerts, and tours.

Somers has been heavily involved in the community as well as organizations that promote the preservation and study of history. In 1969, Somers co-founded the Geneology Club of America and in 1973, he became president of the Cache Valley Historic Society. Other organizations he has been involved with include the Old Main Society, Victorian Society of America, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Logan Kiwanis Club. Somers has also written several historical books which include History of Logan (1993), Hampton Ford and Stage Stop, Box Elder County, Utah, (co-written with Charles Eugene Bigler in 1984), A Tribute to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (1998), and History of Cache Valley (2004).

From the guide to the Raymond C. Somers photograph collection, 1865-1993, 1890-1940, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)