Raymond Preston Sexton passed peacefully to the arms of Jesus on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Raymond was born on October 3, 1925, in Wyandotte Oklahoma, to Hiram & Janie Sexton. On August 22, 1948, he married his sweetheart, Betty Dickerson Sexton, and together celebrated 71 years of marriage.
Raymond was a graduate of Luther High School of Luther, Oklahoma, and in 1943 enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was assigned to the Armed Guard as a signalman. It was from the next to the highest point of the ship that he jumped and survived the Japanese torpedo sinking of his ship. Following his military service in WWII, he enrolled in Oklahoma A & M College (now Oklahoma State University) but later transferred to Oklahoma Baptist University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951.
In 1966 he moved with his family from Altus, Oklahoma, to Corpus Christi, Texas, and joined the faculty at Del Mar West Campus where he developed the curricula and became the first instructor in the new Department of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. As the department grew, he assisted with the architectural plans for the new Air Conditioning Building.
Raymond was a member and served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi. One of his greatest joys was working with preschool children in Sunday School for more than 40 years. A portion of that service was driving ‘Big Blue’ and bringing children to church who would not otherwise attend church and ministering to their families. He also served with the Hammer Slammers helping build and repair churches both here and in Mexico. Local ministries also included going with Betty to deliver Bibles to foreign ships docked at the port of Corpus Christi.
Upon his retirement, Raymond and Betty enjoyed traveling throughout the United States including Hawaii and Alaska. Raymond was a member of the Wyandotte Nation and attended many Pow Wows and annual meetings in Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Raymond loved his Lord, his family, and his church.
Raymond was preceded in death by his son, Preston Ray Sexton, parents Hiram & Janie Sexton, and all his siblings: Emily Jane Prokup (Cletus); Freda Boydston (Jay); and Bill Sexton.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Betty Ruth Dickerson Sexton, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and his daughters and their spouses: Cindy Sexton Bergfeld & Richard of Seguin, Texas; Lori Sexton Byrnes & Tommy of Montgomery, Texas.
He is survived by his grandchildren and their spouses: Katie Bergfeld Sangl & Adam Sangl of Arlington, Texas; Becky Bergfeld Roberson & Scott Roberson of Austin, Texas; Preston Byrnes & Ashley Jo Byrnes of College Station, Texas; Jake Byrnes of Waco, Texas.
Raymond is survived by his four great-grandchildren: Bailey Roberson of Austin, Texas; Austin & Sadie Sangl of Arlington, Texas; Adalyn Jo Byrnes of College Station, Texas.
Raymond is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Forrest & Neta Dickerson of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and Betty Sexton, sister-in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday June 27, 2020 at Chapel of First Baptist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Gifts may be made to the Missions Outreach Ministry of First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi, Texas.
The family would like to thank the Care House of the Yellow Rose of New Braunfels for the loving care they gave Raymond as well as Heart to Heart Hospice. We, also, appreciate all the friends they made the last two years in Solstice Senior Living of Austin, Texas.
Cards to Betty may be sent to the following address:
Betty Sexton
c/o Cindy Bergfeld
2932 Glen View
Seguin, Texas 78155
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