The Reverend Raymond Earl Judd, Jr.

He was born August 27, 1934, in Sherman, Texas, to Glenna Robinson Judd and Raymond Earl Judd Sr.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classics and English from Trinity University in 1956 and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1959. In 1985, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the College of the Ozarks. His studies also included work at the University of Edinburgh, Oxford University, and as a fellow at the Salzburg Seminary.

At Trinity, Raymond met his sweetheart, partner in life and ministry, and beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Jane.

He served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, Texas, from 1959 to 1964, where he also chaired the Red River County Public Library. He later pastored Hemphill Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth from 1965 to 1967, serving on civic and cultural boards including the Fort Worth Symphony.

Raymond returned to San Antonio in 1967 at the invitation of Trinity President James W. Laurie to serve as the first Minister-in-Charge of the newly built Margarite B. Parker Chapel. And while the title would later change to University Chaplain, the work did not.

In his role, Judd helped create the shape of spiritual life on campus: Sunday morning worship, retreats, bible studies, pastoral counseling, and an intentionally ecumenical ministry welcoming students of every faith and of none. He encouraged students to wrestle honestly with moral and social questions rather than avoid them.

His goal was never uniform belief, but authentic faith. He advised student organizations, mentored faculty, and helped students discover callings they did not yet know they had. For Raymond, the chaplaincy was simple to explain: “Love the Lord, love people, and try to bring them together.”

After 32 years of service, Rev. Judd retired in 1999 and was named Trinity University’s first Chaplain Emeritus. That same year, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the University’s highest alumni honor.

Outside ministry, he loved music and served on the board of the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio. He collected Mexican folk art, religious art, and books, especially his renowned Christmas book collection.

He and Mary Jane, shared an active life in San Antonio, and together they traveled widely to hear and see even more. He cherished beauty and sought it everywhere—in food, art, music, conversation, and, above all, in people and family.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Charles Judd. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Garfton Judd; daughter, Jane Judd Deming; grandsons, Reed Deming and Blake Deming; and granddaughter-in-law, Cecilet Deming.

A memorial service giving witness to Raymond’s new life in Christ will be held Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. at the Margarite B. Parker Chapel at Trinity University, 1 Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Rev. Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund or the Rev. Raymond & Mary Jane Judd Center for Spiritual Life and Formation at Trinity University. Gifts may be mailed to: Trinity University, 1 Trinity Place, #49, San Antonio, TX 78212. Please designate which fund you wish to support. Links are found below under "donations."