Raymond Frank Wolff

Raymond Frank Wolff passed away on Wednesday, October 8 at the age of 96. He was born February 26, 1918 in Blair Nebraska to parents Matilda Louise KUHR Wolff and Carl Frederick Wolff. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Louise Wolff MacDonald and son-in-law Dr. Harry John MacDonald of New Bern; grandson, Ian Raymond MacDonald and great-grandchildren Noah, Zoe and Camden of Goldsboro, NC; grandson, William D. MacDonald and great-granddaughters Molly, Kate, and Lindy of Charleston, SC; grandson, James Wolff MacDonald of New Bern: and daughter Jilliana Raymond of New Bern and grandsons, Scott Edmonston of Bethany Beach DE, and Brian Edmonston of Fairfax, VA.

Ray grew up on a small farm near Blair, Nebraska. He was educated in small rural schoolhouses prior to and during the Great Depression. Following the incapacitating illness of his mother when he was 10-years-old, Ray lived with various family members until the beginning of his high school years. At that time, he went to live with his Aunt Louise and Uncle Dutch who raised him and several other boys. Ray worked in their grocery store when not in school, from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM, seven days a week. He attended radio communication school in Kansas City, MO. His first job was with United Airlines out of San Francisco, CA. However, WWII began shortly thereafter, and the United Airlines crews were given the opportunity to join the Air Transport Command operating under the umbrella of the US Army. Ray became an aviation navigator and radio operator serving in the Pacific from Alaska to Guam. Those years generated many adventures, including the special assignments ferrying Gen. McArthur’s staff and Gen. Southerland between Australia, Egypt, and the U.S. In 1946, Ray married June Platt Parker. Ray and June had two daughters, Linda and Jill. His post war job with ARINC as station manager took him and his family from San Francisco to Denver, then to Miami, and finally to Annapolis, MD. After 44 years of marriage, June passed away in 1990. Two years later, upon the urging of his daughters, Ray visited old friends in California including the “lady next door,” who had also been widowed. A romance led to his marrying Helen Wyant, and moving back to San Mateo, CA. Helen’s family adopted Ray, and he and Helen were happily married for 12 years until she passed in 2004. Ray then moved to New Bern and McCarthy Court where he instantly began making new friends and more “extended family,” including his dear friend Irma McQuade. Irma, by coincidence, also lived next door. Ray was fortunate to have 10 very happy and meaningful years at McCarthy Court. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the many interesting people he met there and the activities, of which he took full advantage. He took pride in his role as happy hour bartender for all 10 years.

Thoughtful, considerate, ready smile, and contagious sense of humor describe the man even acquaintances came to know. As his “families” grew, he continued to keep in touch with all of the children, great grandchildren, and new friends. He always made room for one more. He was a quiet leader by example. Always the avid reader, he retained and applied everything he ever read or learned. Those of us privileged to have known him have his example to emulate and his memory for comfort.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at McCarthy Court dining room at noon on Saturday, November 8, 2014. If desired, memorial gifts can be made to the Raymond F. Wolff Aviation Scholarship Fund through the Craven Community College Foundation.

Arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made to the Wolff family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.