Arizona on October 11, 1919, and passed peacefully at his home in Tempe on
May 2, 1919. In his 99 years and 7 months he observed amazing changes in the
world and especially in Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Emma and his brother
Sydney, his wife Doris and step-daughter Dawn Savage. He is survived by
three children, Susan Ashe, Stephen Raymond and Sallie (John) Deuel. He is
survived by 5 grandchildren, Lisa (Dan) Elliott, Casey (Diane) Funk, Kevin
Funk, Erik (Mathilde) Andrejko and Bryan Raymond (Maria) Andrejko .Also 7
great- grandchildren, Colby Elliott, Ethan, Abigail, Bailey Funk, and Eve,
Henrik, Wyatt Raymond Andrejko. The later years of his life, he spent with his
special friend Mary Jane Mann.
Raymond went to Madison Elementary School #1 riding his horse, Ginger, to
school barefoot. He and his brother grew up on a farm where they raised
food, animals and cotton. They sold two watermelon for 10 cents! Dad had to
gather the fruit and hated when they exploded on him! They cooled off by
playing in the canals and slept in wet sheets outside at night to combat the
heat of Arizona. The house was cooled by blowing a fan through wet sheets,
with Mack alleging he ‘invented’ the first air conditioning in Arizona.
He graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1939 and attended many
reunions throughout the years. He walked to school and rode the trolley
home; until his Dad bought him a car, starting his life long love of cars. He
first saw a Cadillac at age 11 and owned many models throughout his lifetime;
buying a brand new one at age 97! He also had a ‘66 Mustang and enjoyed
time in the Mustang Club, driving in parades.
He attended Phoenix College before joining the Navy as a Coxswain serving
on the USS Pasadena in World War II. Returning home to Phoenix, he and
his Dad started one of the first gas stations in Phoenix after the War, when
gas was 17 cents a gallon.
Eventually, he and his family moved to Mesa where he owned and managed
a mobile home resort. He was President of the Arizona Mobile Home Dealers
Association in the mid-60’s. Dad exercised three times a week for 30 years
and participated in the Senior Olympics, winning several metals. He was
athletic, running track in high school and enjoying golf, especially with his
grandsons, and son-in-law, John.Ethan even got to ride in the golf cart. He
also really believed in vitamin supplements! Opening a cabinet in his kitchen,
it looked like he owned a pharmacy. His good health habits enabled him to
live an active life up to the last year of his life.
Raymond and Doris enjoyed travelling and went to China, Italy, France,
Alaska and on many cruises with friends.
He and Mary Jane enjoyed a special companionship, going out to eat and to
movies. They frequently called each other to remind that their favorite TV
shows were on, especially Dancing with the Stars and Blue Bloods. He was
a smart man, teaching himself new skills. After retirement, he dealt in
commodities.
Raymond’s interests other than cars, was music. He played the piano and
loved to dance. He was quiet, easy going, charming and a gentleman always.
However, as we recently learned, he could be very stubborn and did it his
way! He had an excellent memory (those supplements?) and told stories of
growing up in rural Arizona, amazing his ‘baby boomer’ kids
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5