Raymond William Beaver

Raymond William Beaver, age 90, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Raymond was born in a small farming town of Loyal, Wisconsin. At the age of 9, Raymond's father passed away. At the age of 14, his mother remarried and they moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on February 27, 1953. Raymond was a jet aircraft mechanic in the USAF and a veteran of both Korea and Vietnam. During his service in USAF, Raymond received 4 Air Force Good Conduct Medals, 5 Air Force Longevity Service Awards, a Korean Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star, a United Nations Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars, and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In his 20 years in the USAF, he was crew chief on the F-86F, F-86D, T-33, F-102, F-100, RF-4C, and F-4D. His F-86 was named the 'Eager Beaver'. Raymond traveled to many countries while in the Air Force and enjoyed meeting people.

After retiring from USAF, Raymond worked at Maytag Aircraft Transit Alert for 10 years, and Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department for 13 years before fully retiring.

Raymond was an avid collector of World War I memorabilia, which he acquired over a 25 year period. Raymond's father Philip and three uncles served in the U.S. Army in World War I. Raymond's extensive collection has been showcased at numerous shows and at The National Museum of World War II Aviation. Raymond was an active member of the Prospectors Sertoma Club.

Raymond married Cordilla Tafoya on November 15, 1957. Together they had 7 children. They built a wonderful life together that supported their family.

Raymond is survived by his five children, Ginger (Clayton) Killham, Christopher Beaver, Cheryl (Alvin) Peck, Terri Beaver, and Cathleen (Jo Garcia) Beaver. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. He is survived by sister Mary Schwartz, and brothers Gerald Beaver, Kenneth Beaver, Jerome (Sue) Beaver, and Paul Cook.

He was preceded in death by wife Cordilla, son David, daughter Cynthia, parents Philip and Anna (Platten) Beaver, sister Esther (Henry) Ott, sister Marjorie (Leo) Frei, brother Harvey (Ann) Beaver, brother Anthony Beaver, brother Peter Cook, sister-in-law Katherine Beaver, and brother-in-law Gerald Schwartz.

Raymond was an extremely social person who always enjoyed conversations with family, friends, and most anybody he would meet. He worked very hard, and always had a project going.

His lasting presence will continue with those he touched in his life.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Swan-Law Funeral at 501 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, with burial at 11:30 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetary at 1005 Hancock Expy, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.