As a boy, Raymond participated in 4H and Future Farmers of America. He was drafted into the military at age 21 and assigned to the Education Department, serving in the Vocational Training School, Pacific Coast Branch at Camp McQuaide, Cal. Upon his discharge from the military, Raymond studied education and agriculture at the University of Illinois, then taught high school in southern Illinois. His teaching assignment included several hours of instruction each week on farming techniques for veterans who were setting up farms. Through his involvement with farm agencies Raymond was chosen to travel to Pakistan via the International Farm Youth Exchange. He spent 5 months educating Pakistani farmers on conservation and best farm practices. When he returned to the states, Raymond became a soil conservationist with the US Department of Agriculture for 30 years. He thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the farmers.
Surviving are his children Rita Johnson, Orlando, Fla; Renita (Jeff) Gilliland, Carol Stream; Deanna (John) South, Normal; and Darrel (Deanna) Koontz, Petersburg, Ind.; one brother John Koontz, Flora, Ill; and eight grandchildren, Jamila and Jeremy Johnson; Justin, Amber and Cece Gilliland, and Benjamin, Daniel and Ariana South. He was preceded in death by his wife, two brothers Walter and Edward and one sister Esther June Tribe.
Raymond was a lifetime member of the Church of God (Anderson, IN). He taught Sunday School for many years. Raymond was a skilled craftsman and loved working with his hands.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Activity and Recreation Center, Normal, Ill.
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Activity and Recreation Center, Normal, Illinois
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