Raymond taught for 34 years in the Victoria Independent School District as a classroom teacher. He began his career at Juan Linn Elementary and later moved to Crain Intermediate. When Howell Middle School was built, he moved over to teach 7th grade Reading until he retired in 2000. Raymond leaves behind a legacy filled with laughter, learning, and countless young lives he helped shape. He never thought of teaching as work—it was simply what he loved to do every day. Students were drawn to him, not just because he made lessons enjoyable, but because he made everyone feel welcome, valued, and capable. His classroom was a place kids wanted to be, and his influence reached far beyond the walls of the school. Even long after he retired, he loved sharing stories from his years in the classroom, talking about his students with pride and joy as if those moments had happened only yesterday.
During his time teaching, he was especially known for his passion and deep knowledge of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and the life and writings of Mark Twain. Generations of students fondly remembered the way he brought those stories to life, weaving their themes into lessons that stayed with them long after they left his classroom.
Married to the love of his life for 65 years, he missed his beloved wife dearly after her passing in 2022. Together they built a family grounded in love, faith, and steadfast commitment. He was a dedicated husband, a loving father, and a devoted grandfather, carrying a great love and pride for each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always ready with a story, a smile, or a word of encouragement.
He lived his life as a strong Christian man whose faith guided every decision, every act of kindness, and every example he set. His steady devotion to God, family, and community shaped the way he loved, taught, and served others throughout his life.
He will be remembered by family, former students, colleagues, and friends as a man who gave generously, loved deeply, and made the world better through every life he touched.
Raymond is survived by his daughters, Gayle Lowery of Friendswood, Dawn Cummings (Greg) of Victoria; sister, Lucille Lee of Victoria; grandchildren, Raymond “RJ” Lowery (Jessica), Lacy Brantley (Kevin), Courtney McCloud (Ryan), Tyler Cummings and his great-grandchildren, Karson and Lane Brantley and Luca and Archie Lowery.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Delores Ann Gray Scherlen; sister, Ruby Tagliabue and son-in-law, Wayne Lowery.
Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, February 25, 2026 from 9-9:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a rosary to be recited at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM with burial to immediately follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers are RJ Lowery, Kevin Brantley, Ryan McCloud, Greg Cummings and Tom Stang.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of South Texas Dornburg Center.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
