Raymond Harold Cheek

Raymond Harold Cheek, Chief Warrant Officer 4, Retired, US Army passed away - Jan. 29, 2017 in Sumner, WA to occupy space in another dimension where he will join his beloved wife Mildred and other celestial personages. Raymond was born 10 February 1927, to Wanna W. and Lucy F. Cheek, both deceased, at Sharps Chapel, Union County, Tennessee. His siblings, Edward 0., Myrl N., And Elbert G. Cheek are all deceased. The family relocated in 1936 due to the completion of Norris Dam, the first of many by TV A, and he remained a Tennessee resident until graduating from Youngs High School, Knoxville, Tenn. on 14 May 1944. He moved late that year to Akron, Ohio where he resided until entering the US Army in March 1945; upon his military discharge he returned to Akron in 1946 and reentered the Army in 1947 and variously resided thereafter. He married Mildred Ann (Pulskamp) Cheek on 4 November 1948 and eight children' were born of this Union, to wit: James R., Hanford, CA; Martha M., Tacoma, WA; Michael D. Palm Bay, FL; Kenneth W., Bonney Lake, WA; Linda A. Babino, Clarkston, W A; Deborah L. La Chance, Spokane, W A; Pamela M. Ellis, Spokane; and Christepher S. Bermuda Dunes, CA. His much beloved Milly passed away after a long bout with cancer on 8 September 2003 and he was emotionally devastated with the loss of his wife, best friend, and loving companion for 54 years. During his 30 years of distinguished US Army he served in Japan 45-46 as a stevedore; Military Police, MD 47-48; Ft Riley, KSJor. a short spell; and then in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) until retirement in 1975 family members resided with him at duty stations where permitted. Duty stations included Washington, DC; Army Language School, Montery, CA; Tokyo, Japan; Columbus, OH; Fort Richardson, Anthorage, AK; Fort Bliss, TX; Viet Nam near Saigon; Los Angeles, CA; and Munich, Germany. Raymond took great pride in the entire period of military service and earned many decorations and commendations. He was deeply committed to the health and welfare of veterans and was a life member otf Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and The Retired Officers Association (TROA) now known as MOOA. Both Ray and Milly accrued in excess of 750 hours each at the VA American Lake facility. There will be a Celebration of Ray's life on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 at 11:00 at Powers Funeral Home in Sumner. Inurnmennt of both Milly and Ray at the VA Mt Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA