USAF Retired MSgt Raymond A. Bristow

USAF Retired MSgt Raymond A. Bristow

Vietnam Veteran and Retired Air Force MSgt Raymond A. Bristow was diagnosed with Alzheimer in 2014. He passed away peacefully, Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 4:30 a.m. at his home in Morrow, GA, with his daughter and caregiver, Alishia, and Homecare Assistants at his side.

MSgt Bristow leaves to cherish his memories and mourn his passing a longtime companion, and mother of his children, Ms. Vivian D. Bristow, Pensacola, FL; 1 son, Mr. Raymond A. (Evelyn) Bristow; 2 daughters and a daughter-in-law: Ms. Alishia L. Bristow, Atlanta, GA, Ms. Yelaina R. Thompson, Conyers, GA, and Mrs. Lucretia Rene Bristow, Reston, VA, 3 grandsons: Mr’s. Charles Dale (Blue) Mack, Atlanta, GA, Raymond A. (MaBeth) Bristow, III, Defuniak Springs, FL, Mannie Foster, Reston, VA, 5 granddaughters: Ms’ Bianco Bristow, Destin, FL, Arial Bristow, Dallas, TX, Desi Foster, Reston, VA, Alexandria Thompson and Kristen Thacker, Conyers, GA, 13 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers: Mr’s Ray Alphonse Bristow, Marshall (Margaret) Bristow, Darcy Bristow all of Newport News, VA, 1 sister: Ms. Pat Bristow, Newport News, VA, 3 nieces: Ms’ Tiffany Holmes, Antoinette Crawley Gray, Newport News, VA., and Aerle Taree Bristow, Atlanta, GA.,

He was proceeded in death by his Parents: Mr. Alphonse and Mary Bristow, a son: Mr. Terrence Alphonse Bristow, granddaughter: Ms. Rachael Elaine Harper, brother: Mr. Anthony Bristow and sister: Mrs. Jean Hope.

As a child, Raymond joined Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church, Newport News, VA and eagerly encouraged his mother and other members of the family to join. Raymond “Pap” as he was affectionately called was well respected, loved and looked up to by young and older people in his family, neighborhood, school, and church. Mother’s trusted him with their daughters and fathers trusted him when they had doubts about their own sons (smile).

He attended the public schools in Newport News and graduated from Huntington High with the class of 1958. He had dreams of being a soldier, so it surprised no one when upon graduation he joined the U. S. Marine Corp. and remained there for two years. He advanced his Military Service to his country by joining the U. S. Air Force where he worked as an Aerial Photographer and a Motion Picture Cameraman for 20 years. A Vietnam Veteran and one of the first 15 combat photographers in the entire U.S. Military, he served two one (1) year tours in Thailand/Vietnam. He was the best of the best! During one of his Tours in Thailand, him and his pilot’s plane was shot down, he rescued the pilot and saved some extremely valuable equipment. In his job as a photographer, he traveled to countries all over the world and flew Missions with such distinguished 4 Star Generals as Chappie James to name a few. He was such a talented photographer that many Generals name requested him on their flight mission.

While serving at Eglin AFB, FL, he met and married Vivian Davis Bristow from Pensacola and they became the parents of Alishia, Raymond, Terrence and Yelaina. Shortly after marriage, Raymond was called to serve his country in Thailand/Vietnam where he flew on combat missions. After his return from the War, the family traveled to such bases as Eglin AFB, Wright Patterson, AFB, OH, Vandenberg AFB, CA, Weisbaden AB, Germany and Andrews AFB, MD.

He was a loving husband, a loving and strict father, and an extremely loving, kind, and gracious grandfather to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Raymond and Vivian later divorced but maintained a close, loving, and respectful friendship for 60 years. He retired from the military while stationed at Langley AFB, VA and went on to further serve his country at the Post Office in Atlanta, GA.

Raymond lived well and often said to his best friend and confidant, Vivian, “I’ve had a good life and the World don’t owe me anything.” That is saying a lot for a man who traveled the world three times, lived life his way and denied himself nothing.

Raymond departed this earth to be with the Lord at 4:30 a.m. April 15, 2020, is greeted in the heavens by his mother, his father, son, and granddaughter and is now “Soaring with the Angels” in Heaven!

Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Retired MSgt Raymond A. Bristow will be Memorialized with full Military Honors at a date to be announced by the family.