On October 30, 2023, Jay Raymond’s brave battle with cancer ended as he entered eternity into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jay was born on November 24, 1946, in Rockford, Illinois, to Jacques P. and Gwendolyn E. Raymond. He graduated from Harlem High School in Loves Park and from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois. Jay then began his teaching career as a junior high science and math teacher in Lake Zurich, Illinois. He received a Master’s Degree in 1971 from Northern Illinois University. He met his future wife, Margie Hughes, in Lake Zurich where she was also a teacher at the junior high. They married in Rockford on August 7,1971 and continued teaching until 1978 when they left Illinois for Colorado where they lived until Jay’s death.
In Colorado, Jay’s love of all things technological took flight as he went on to get further training in electronics and computers. He worked at Valley Lab and Particle Measuring Systems in Boulder during this time. In 2000 Jay began working at Calvary Church in Longmont, Colorado, as Information Technology Director. He was tasked with bringing the church into the new Millenium electronically, outfitting the staff with personal computers, networking, and showing how their usage would (eventually) save everyone time.
Jay retired in 2010 and he was able to pursue some hobbies that he hadn’t previously had time for. Ship-building became a love of his as he spent countless hours researching the history of and putting together the ships. His little white dog, Chloe, our West Highland White Terrier, was often at his side, particularly in the mornings as they walked along McIntosh Lake and greeted her 4-legged friends.
Jay will be sadly missed by his wife of 52 years, Margie A. Raymond and his brother-in-law Lou Hughes (Sherri) of Sierra Vista, Arizona, along with many friends. No services are planned at the present time.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com for the Raymond family.
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