Gerald Raymond

Gerald Dewane Raymond, (Jerry), 89, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019, in Prairie Village, Kansas.  He was born January 6, 1930, in the village of Crosby, Minnesota.  A Celebration of Life will be held at the Overland Park Chapel, 8120 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, KS on July 27, 2019, at 1:00 with Military Honors at 2:30.

There he was raised by his mother Ione (Burau) Raymond in the township of Deerwood, Minnesota, until her early passing. Luckily his Aunt, Nina Carlson took him into her home.  He assisted his mom at her establishment, the Shannon Inn as a young boy; even serving drinks and playing cards with the regulars when they needed a fourth hand!

He proudly joined the U.S. Navy in 1948 during the Korean War, along with many other local boys. Amazingly, some of them served together. He served as a 3rd class Petty Officer on the air craft carrier USS Coral Sea.

Following his stint in the Navy, he attended Business College in Minneapolis, MN where he was reunited with his wife-to-be, Jackie “Cheetah” Berg from Ironton, MN.  He had announced to her at her ripe old age of 9 that he intended to marry her!  The wedding took place on May 29, 1954.

He was a treasured brother to Rodney Raymond (wife, Coleen) of Deerwood, MN, and proceeded in death by his wife Jackie (Berg) Raymond and his sister, Joan Foote (husband, Eugene) of Crosby, MN.

Jerry and Jackie shared six children.  He was also very proud (and doting) of the many grandkids, and an ever increasing list of great grandkids:

Michelle LaCroix (Lonnie)

Robin Raymond

Geri Jayn Smiley (Eugene)

Erin Taylor (Ray)

Teri Lynn Mills (Clarence White)

Gregory Raymond (Cecilia Folz)

Gr andkids & their Partners: Great Grandchildren:

Nicole Vidonish (William)                             Sophia, Liam, Elizabeth, Jenna, Elijah

Dustin Francis (Kelly Brown)

Brandon Mills (Amy Yoder)

Brie Ann Howard (Aaron)

Matthew Taylor (Lindsay)                              Arielle, Leah, Landen, Emrie

Kyle Taylor

Alexandria Raymond (Joel Butterfield)

Gage Raymond

Chase Raymond

He was extremely proud of his Federal Service and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of his coworkers and their family members. Many who became part of our extended family.  He spent many years enjoying monthly, seasonal picnics at Minor Park, Kansas City, MO.  The adults played horseshoes, had baseball adventures, toasted s’mores over the camp fire, drank a few cold ones, and all of the kids grew up together.

When summer was over, the USDA crew shifted over to their weekly bowling league at Ward Parkway Bowl next to the 8930 Ward Parkway office.  The fellas also played Whist, Cribbage, and ping pong together.

Outside of his Federal career he also enjoyed his involvement for decades as a Boy Scout Troop leader.  He was awarded the highest rank of the Order of the Arrow by the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America.  He camped, canoed, crafted, and enabled his troop members to earn multiple merit badges.

Jerry retired after 30 years of Federal service with the US Dept. of Agriculture, Commodities Credit Corporation, as a Contract Specialist.

He was especially proud of his service at the Overland Park, KS, American Legion Post 370; at that time the largest post in Kansas.  Served as 1st Vice 1987-1988, Post Commander 1989-1990, and 1st Vice Commander 2002-2003.  He was a four time Gold Brigade officer and a staunch member of the Forty and Eight (La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses),which is an independent, invitation only, honor society of American veterans and service members.) He ended his service as a lifetime member of the Olathe, KS, American Legion Post 153. We will continue to honor our assorted American Legion Posts long after he is gone.

After his retirement he was delighted to become the 3rd generation resident of his Grandma Selma Burau’s home in Deerwood, MN.  There, he and Jackie “Cheetah” enjoyed 6 months of each year growing vegetables (Dad) and flowers (Mom), the warble of the loons flying over their home from lake to lake, and sunsets over Serpent Lake.  He and his brother Rod spent many hours tinkering on projects and haunting farm auctions in the area.  They wintered in Prairie Village, KS, where he especially enjoyed hosting Sunday sourdough pancake breakfasts for his kids and grandkids.

He was strong willed and proud and often quite stubborn. On the flip side, he was tender hearted and generous to a fault.

His family greatly appreciated all his caregivers over the past few months.  Many who came to appreciate his sense of humor and brusqueness.  He would scowl and growl and, then, grin!  They were highly entertained by his many stories about Minnesota, his Navy misadventures including rides in the paddy wagon to the hoosegow & the flight of the lugaloo bird.

He will be remembered and greatly missed by his family and many friends.

We will be reuniting him with his wife, “Cheetah”, in the Deerwood (Scandia) Cemetery this August or September. (The family is still working to schedule a date).