Raymond J. Oesterle, age 89, of Phoenix, Arizona entered heaven on July 29, 2020. Raymond was born in Michigan in 1930. He entered the Air Force in 1951 and served our country honorably for 26 years. After retiring, he worked for Goodyear Farms in the Human Resource Department, earned his college degree from Golden Gate University and then taught 7th and 8th grades at Light and Life Christian School for 6 years.
An athlete throughout his life, Ray enjoyed golf, playing squash, and softball. He coached his daughters in basketball and softball and cheered his son in baseball and BMX racing. His love of sports led him to be part of the football “chain gang” at Phoenix Christian High School, softball umpire for North Phoenix Baptist Leagues, and volleyball linesman at Grand Canyon University for many years.
Active in the church, you could find him setting up communion, ushering, or holding fussy babies. He and Joanne (his wife) also spent a year in the Dominican Republic providing mail service to the missionary programs there and spent time in Mexico on missionary building projects.
Having a heart for service, Ray volunteered at Abrazo Hospital (Phoenix Baptist) sorting and delivering mail, grading tests for the nursing staff, and bringing a smile and maybe a joke to all who would come to the hospital. When he moved to Fellowship Square, you could find him at the concierge desk ready to answer questions or deliver packages to residents.
Ray is preceded in death by his father, mother, and his younger sister Donna. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joanne; children Jeanne (Glenn), Jan (Jim), Jeff (Rebecca) and Sue (Bill); plus, thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren along with his brothers Richard (JoAnn) and Don (Judy).
He will be profoundly missed.
An open house to celebrate Ray’s life will be held at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary on September 3, 2020 from 4-6 p.m. Ray will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with full military honors at a later date.
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