Raymond B Wellborn

Raymond Burke “Buddy” Wellborn, Sr., Captain USN (ret.) died 23 October 2018, in League City TX, of complications from an Aortic Aneurism at age 82. Born in Bryan Texas, 13 August 1936, he attended Rice University for 1 year before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1955 in the Class of 1959. He was a standout football player during his time at USNA. He played on the winning 1958 Cotton Bowl team. After graduation, he married Gladys Hamby of Houston Texas and their journey began. He reported to USS Frank Knox for his first tour then eventually went on to Submarine school. After 15 years and numerous tours on diesel boat submarines, including a Command of USS Entemador, he transferred to the Surface Warfare community. He commanded the USS Mount Baker and the USS Detroit. His final command was Navy Electronics Command in Charleston S.C. After 30 years of service, he retired in June 1989 and eventually moved home to Houston. He taught at Texas A&M while earning his Doctorate in Maritime Economics. He then left Texas A&M to pursue his love of writing and lecturing. He had many hobbies, but in the end he enjoyed being involved with the Navy Football brotherhood and as a Trustee United States Naval Academy Foundation and Scholarship Program. He tirelessly wrote game summaries of each Navy football game for friends and many others to enjoy. Each football season, he would travel around to numerous Alumni chapters to give his Navy Football preview. Preceded in death by his parents and wife Gladys (March 1993). He is survived by his sons Burke (Julie) of Gulf Breeze, FL, Robert of Dickinson, TX, and John (Julie) of Canton, NC, and 7 grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home with funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the United States Naval Academy Foundation Athletic and Scholarship Program, 25 Maryland Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401.