Raymond Stephenson

Raymond Stephenson passed away on December 8, 2011 in Hanford, California. Raymond was born on October 25, 1917, near Jean, Texas. He was the youngest of 8 children born of Lotus Milar and Ulah Mozelle Stephenson. Raymond grew up in Texas and enjoyed the “country life” with his brothers and sisters. Raymond enlisted in the Army in February 1942 and served in Europe in the Army Signal Corps during World War II. He was Honorably Discharged in December of 1945. Raymond was awarded the following decorations and citations for his service: American Theater Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with 3 bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon, one Service Stripe and four Overseas Service Bars. After his discharge, Raymond returned to Texas and eventually worked for Gulf Oil as a telegraph operator in Crane, Texas.

Raymond joined a local fast pitch softball league and even competed in the Softball World Series in Colorado in 1949. That same year, Raymond married the love of his life, Linda Lane Griffin. Raymond and Linda had two daughters, Myra Lane and Vicki Renae. Raymond and his family lived in Crane until March 1962. At that time, he and his family moved to the Hanford area where Raymond began a career with the post office as a mail carrier. Raymond was also a licensed ham radio operator and spent many hours at the “bug” communicating with people all over the world. Raymond retired from the post office after 23 years of service. After retirement, Raymond and Linda became Papa and Nana to three beautiful grandchildren. Raymond and Linda were married for 48 years until Linda’s death in August 1997.

Raymond is survived by his children Vicki Renae Ornellas (Rodney) and Myra Lane Stephenson, and three grandchildren Michael Stephen Ornellas (Kellen) of Corcoran, California, Aymee Renae Sheppard (Stephen) of Abilene, Texas and Aaron Christopher Ornellas currently serving in the Air Force in Afghanistan.

Our father was an amazing person! He was the most honest, moral, gentle, funny man we have ever known. He was the heart and soul of our family and was always there for us. Our father was a true patriot of the Greatest Generation and served with honor during World War II. There will never be anyone like him again. May God bless him and welcome him home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

Friends of the National World War II Memorial

700 13th Street NW Suite 800

Washington DC 20005

We would also like to take this time to especially thank our uncle and aunt, Dalton and Barbara Griffin, our father’s wonderful neighbors Chuck and Lee Whitacre and our cousin Jim Griffin for all their help with our father. We can’t thank you enough for all you did for our dad.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Grangeville Cemetery; 10428 14th Avenue, Armona, CA 93202 559-924-3439 with U.S. Retired Veteran’s Military Funeral Honors.