Raymond Toalson

Raymond Palmer Toalson, 96, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 9th 2022. Funeral Service will be 11am, Friday, September 16th at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia with burial and Military Honors to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may gather from 10-11am before the service.

Raymond was born May 18, 1926 in Murray, MO to Andrew Price and Lura (Palmer) Toalson, and grew up on the family farm in Murray. He attended and was baptized at Grandview Baptist Church of Murray. At age 17 he enlisted in the US Marine Corps where we was deployed to the Pacific Front during WWII. He was part of the 28th Regiment, 5th Division; the regiment was pivotal in the capture of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. He was critically wounded in combat and was received his honorable discharge and was awarded his Purple Heart by President Franklin D. Roosevelt personally. In the years following his return, Raymond married Ruth Miller Nichols of Columbia on May 3, 1947 in Olathe, KS. He drove a truck for Wetterau (IGA) for 43 years, two months, and eight days.

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; parents, Andrew & Lura; and all 15 of his siblings. He is survived by two children, Chris (Penny) Toalson of Lincoln, and Vicki (David) Long of Centralia; three grandchildren, Nick Toalson, Nicole (Toalson) Silvey, and Natalie (Long) Kowalski; and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 900 W Nifong Blvd Suite 215, Columbia, MO 65203.