Raimon William Lehman Jr.

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, Raimon passed away peacefully at Alexandria Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was surrounded by his family and ministers who prayed and sang hymns as Raimon surrendered this life on earth to enter his eternal life in heaven. He was 67 years old.

Raimon was born at Ft. Belvoir Hospital in Fairfax County, Virginia, on July 11, 1956 to Ruth Marie Lehman (Spry) and Raimon William Lehman, Sr. He was the fourth child in a military family that eventually grew to become six children. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kay Jonas. Surviving siblings are Jeannie (Michael) Carruth, Joan (David) Hoopengardner, David (Naomi) Lehman, Larry (Colleen) Lehman, and brother-in-law Leroy Jonas.

It was in England where Raimon began his lifelong love of education and travel. His Dad was in the United States Army and had orders to attend the British Staff College in Camberley, Surrey, England. At three years of age, Raimon logged the first of countless miles to come as he set sail with his family onboard the SS United States en route to Southampton. He lived in a British country home on an old estate with plenty of forests and open spaces to explore outdoors. His first year of school was in a private boys’ school—Cheswycks in Camberley, Surrey, England. With that solid foundation and in true military-brat style, Raimon attended various schools all over the US. He finally completed his public education at Frankfurt American High School. While in Germany, Raimon earned his Eagle Scout award, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Raimon continued his education by earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government & Politics at George Mason University. He then went on to Arizona State University to earn a Master of Arts in Political Science. Subsequently, he received his teaching certification from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania. His graduate course work over the years was extensive. At one point he was even working on a doctorate. Raimon was every teacher’s delight. He was inquisitive and knowledgeable in many subjects. He always had something to add to the discussion.

Travel and adventure went hand-in-hand with his love of education. Raimon was a teacher who mostly taught in private schools in numerous locations throughout the United States and the world. He always took the opportunity to sight-see and learn about every place he lived. He taught in schools in Korea, Puerto Rico, and Saipan. He loved to research and learn the history of the local areas.

Raimon remained a bachelor for most of his life. He had a brief marriage to Jolanda Zonder of Louisville, Kentucky.

For the last nine years, Raimon lived at Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Alexandria. Three times per week he went to the dialysis center. Countless times there were other scenarios that required hospitalization or repeat doctor visits. Throughout it all, Raimon remained positive, upbeat, and optimistic. He received excellent care, and he was very grateful. The staff and other residents became his family. He had an unbelievable memory that enabled him to talk to anyone there on just about any subject. He was kind, thankful, and caring. He went out of his way to make friends at church even though he could only watch online the last few years. He was a Christian man who loved God, his family, and his friends.