
From Edna Baldwin
Jim and Raymond loved to go to auctions and all their purchases didn't make sense.  One time Jim bought a box of ragged old purses and Raymond bought a box of horrible smelly old shoes.  Neither were vintage, just trash, but they had decided to combine their great finds and each got half of the purses and shoes.  

The next auction was at an art gallery and because Jim and Raymond had been playing pool and drinking, we decided to separate them.  I got elected to sit with Raymond and try to keep him under control. (really?).  I wanted a certain painting and was shy about bidding so Raymond said he would do it for me.  Each time the other bidder made an offer Raymond would raise mine.  When I finally stood up to see who else was bidding, I saw Jim and I felt sure he and Raymond were just playing around at my expense.

Raymond Canion Memories

From Jim Baldwin
I was selling Allis Chalmers heavy equipment at the time.  There was a bid out for foundation and site work for a new school in Southeast Austin.  There was a lot of excavation work for the basement.  Raymond was not sure if it could be dug or needed explosives.  My company had just come out with a new big track loader with ripper.  Raymond said he would buy one if it could dig the rock for that job.  The night before bidding, I had the loader brought to Austin.  We went out about midnight, when no one was around and dug a hole and then covered it up.  Canion Excavation got the bid and they did buy the loader from me.  To our surprise, it turned out that where we dug, was the only place that it would dig the rock, the rest of the site had to be dynamited.  So much for looking ahead.

Raymond and I grew up together in south Austin about a 15 minute walk apart.  He got his growth early, so he was usually the tallest kid around, and had classic good looks as well.  Needless to say, everybody wanted to be friends with him - including me.

We played Little League ball together - he on the 7up Bottlers, and me on the Junior Optimists.  Of course Raymond was a star Catcher while I was a "sub" my first year.  Little League was a big deal back then.

At Travis High School,  Raymond was a star on the basketball team, and had a very neat car.  These things only enhanced his appeal to the girls in our class, and he picked one of the prettiest to be his "steady."  (He married her after we graduated from high school.)

Without any prior planning or discussion, we both wound up in the College of Engineering at the University of Texas.  Along with our mutual good friend and the Best Man at his wedding, George Knebel, we managed to graduate more or less on time a few years later.  But along the way, we enjoyed a lot of good times largely focused on aquatic activities including water skiing and beer drinking (yes - beer drinking was a very popular water sport in those days.)

After graduation, I went into the Navy, George into the Air Force, and Raymond went to work in the construction business as his father before him had done.  So we saw each other much less for quite a few years - until I came back to Austin in the late 70's.

For these last few years, we sat in the stands together for UT baseball games.  He was a huge and very loyal baseball fan.  Those were great times as we got to know each other better in our  "ripe old age."  I also enjoyed visiting him at his home on Bear Creek south of Austin  At one time my Dad owned that land, so I had a special affection for it.  He obviously enjoyed his home and adored his wife Judy and their extended family.

He was a very successful businessman, having taken over his father's construction firm where he spent most of his adult life.  He lived life to the fullest, treated his family and friend with dignity and respect, and was loved, admired and respected by all. 

He will be missed.  Rest in peace, my good friend.

Mary and I were married less than three months after we met, Ray hardly knew me when, as a substitute for a sick Pat (and/or Annie) he brought Mary to the alter and gave his only sister away to a stranger from a foreign land... an act of faith that has held us all together for 36 years. so I have known Raymond for only half his life. He was always the man's man, dedicated to his company, the people he worked for and those who worked with him, a true entrepreneur. This feature was another bond we shared as we both owned our own business and we could relate on varying levels.
Memories are mostly of the close times we all shared through births, schooling, marriages and grand-parenting, so many of which are enshrined in the memories written in this Guest Book. for me it was Ray's presence at every significant family event, his constant support of the family unit. It was also the cigar and whisky on the front porch, the shearing of the llamas, the trips to the now past family reunions in Brownsville. On reflection, they were all related to his highest priority, that of family coherance.
I will miss his encouragement, his love of our kids and now grandchild, and the presence he always commanded whenever we were in the same room. Despite his sometime gruff exterior, Ray was a big hearted man who taught us to love life by his wonderful example and never look back.
Thank you Ray.

I referred to Mr. Canion as My Buddy.  We had a lot of adventures together and everyday routines.  
Every morning when I came to work, Mr. Canion would say good morning Buddy and we would shake hands and he would say the coffee is ready.  At quitting time, we would go outside to drink a beer and visit while feeding the fish.  On days I did not work, we stayed in touch with each other daily through texting. I would keep him notified if there was a threat of a freeze and remind him to drip faucets and turn heater on in well house.

Every week Mr. Canion would give me $6 to buy a Lotto ticket.  We'd share the winnings if any but had the most fun talking about what we would spend the money on if we hit it big.

My Buddy loved BBQ.  Every week or so we would get some for lunch from Railroad BBQ, Wilhites or the Creedmoor Store.  We would also get some when I accompanied him to the Beaver Island lake house on Lake LBJ.  We would take the boats out for a ride while we were there as well.

The first road trip I remember taking with him was in 2009.  We drove to College Baseball World Series tournament in Omaha, NE.  We stayed up late every night drinking and had really good meals.  Lost to LSU and Mr. Canion said on the positive side at least the trophy is going back south.

Another road trip was to Norman, OK for a UT baseball tournament.  Had a little incident when we missed the exit and he drove across jumping the curbing.  There was no damage to ourselves or the vehicle so we had a good laugh.  The next day went to Academy and if I had not stopped him he would have purchased an OU team shirt (which was red but he mistook it for orange) which would have made him furious  he was not a fan of OU  At breakfast one morning he picked up a remote control and was trying to change the channel on the TV I told him he actually had the fireplace remote control.  He told me not to tell on him but when they returned he told Eloisa and relayed to me now everyone will know.

Another road trip was to Houston for an Astros game.  His nephew Canion joined us at the game.  We purchased Astro's tee shirts as mementos.  I also went with him to many UT Baseball home games.

Another road trip was to Dallas to the Cotton Bowl (Red River Shoot Out  OU & UT football).  When they started losing, we left the stadium and Mr. Canion said we might as well head home early, not wanting to be around victorious OU fans.

I went with Mr. Canion to Boerne to look at a 1992 Pontiac Richard Petty signature vehicle that a good friend, Jim Baldwin, owned.  Mr. Canion introduced me as his mechanic.  He ended up buying the car even though Jim was not entirely sure he wanted to sell it.

Took Petty Blue on a ride when it was raining one day when Mr. Canion would have run a stop sign if I had not warned him.  We slid to a stop barely missing being t-boned (another bullet dodged).

I accompanied Mr. Canion to Weslaco for dental work in Progresso.  Had a good time drinking and eating at the motel restaurant the day before the dental visit.  We stopped at a roadside vendor and bought a bunch of fresh fruit.  On way back My Buddy's face starting swelling and the next day it was black and blue and he looked like he had been in a fight. 

I was Mr. Canion's right and left hand (and sometimes eyes and ears.  He would setup work with contractors and have me help oversee projects.

I was so happy that I was able to see the look of joy on his face when I brought his dog, Sky, to the hospital to meet him when we he was released.  I drove him home with the windows down and playing country music on the DVD.


When looking back on my life, our relationship was not always the best. However, there were a lot of good times. 

My first hunting trip was with my Dad. We went Deer hunting, I believe to Zapata. Even though I was apparently a crack shot, I never really got into "the Hunt". What I remember the most was just going and spending time together. 

He bought me my first shotgun (.410) and I think I put at least a 1000 rounds thru it. Didn't always hit my target, but it was fun to just go out and shoot. 

The infamous fishing trip.... that Jim Helgren will always remember. 

Going on a Mediterranean Cruise. Riding on a bus in Nice France and him telling the Asian people on the bus with us something about "washee washee". It was funny and embarrassing at the time. Also walking through Mary's house (yes, The Mary, in the biblical sense) in Turkey. The house is now a small church and they ask to be completely silent while going through it. We all had little 2 way radios. Dad and Judy went through the church first then he proceeded to call us on the radio. When he knew perfectly well that we were still all inside of it at the time. I'm actually surprised that we were not arrested or shot or both. And the years of donations for the Fourth of July Fireworks spectacular.

Death is an unavoidable part of life - a necessary piece of the puzzle as common as eating, drinking, and sleeping. All stories have a beginning and an end, and death is simply part of the process. It is a cruel reality that something so integral to our existence can also be something so agonizing and painful. Death is a phenomenon that has been experienced by many people over many years. Estimates suggest that about 107 billion people have lived and died in human history. And yet, no matter how many times we cycle through life and death, no matter how many times we experience the loss of a loved one, it never gets easier. We have achieved unthinkable progress and innovation in the past 200,000 years, but there has been little to no development in curing grief stemming from death. It is an inescapable reminder of the universal forces of balance that stabilize our world. Night & day, cold & hot, war & peace, black & white, north & south... Balance is everywhere. 

 ...and Raymond Patrick Canion was certainly an example of a balanced force. Raymond, or as I knew him throughout my entire life, "Papa", was a potent dose of life. He absolutely loved the small and large joys of living and ensured that he surrounded himself with things that made him happy: family, cars, sports, flashy jewelry, traveling, pets, an afternoon scotch, reading, and conversation (he loved conversation and had no problem striking up words with the nearest human in his proximity). He loved to have a good time with good food and good company. While he loved to relax and enjoy himself, he also took pride in his work and continued to educate himself throughout his lifetime. From civil engineering to real estate to stock trading, Raymond was a well-versed, yet at times unconventional, businessman who knew the importance of continuing to learn and evolve. He was not afraid to take risks and be bold (which I definitely take after). He was always up to speed with the newest technology and gadgets, making trips to his house a "never know what you're going to get" kind of experience. 

 Some of my earliest memories are with Raymond ("Papa") and Judy ("Gigi"). I spent a considerable amount of my childhood at their house and would wait out the weekdays in school looking forward to the tradition of a weekend sleepover. Each time I went, without fail, it felt like a resort-style vacation complete with pool and trampoline activities, big-screen TV movies and wonderful food. I would stay up late and sneak into the kitchen after everyone went to sleep (sleep meaning Raymond asleep, snoring loudly on the couch with a movie playing in the background) and set an elaborate table in anticipation for breakfast. I'm sure when Raymond and Judy (read: Judy) saw this, they (read: she) knew they (read: she) would be expected to make something. Two of my favorite breakfast staples at the Canion Compound were oatmeal (milk + brown sugar) and breakfast tacos (where I adopted my love for sliced avocado and mango). 

 I knew from a very early age that grandchildren were very special to him and he made that very well known. He was always proposing deals and offering suggestions. He considered education to be very important, and I will never forget the time he offered to pay me $10 for each A that I earned on my report card. For a 12 year old, considering that I would have the ability to earn up to $70 every six weeks was basically offering me a wealth and prosperity package. It encouraged me to always take school seriously, and I would anxiously look forward to presenting him my report card. This tradition continued on through high school, and never once did he voice regret towards instituting this system - he always congratulated me. 

 As I transitioned into my turbulent teenage years, he again was a balanced voice of concern and advice. There are lots of similarities that I see in Raymond and myself - some of them good, and some of them not so good. However, he was a voice that I would always tolerate even in my most stubborn and defiant times. I will always be thankful for his unwavering ability to look past my stupid actions and offer sound, practical advice. He had a genuine concern for my well-being and throughout his entire life, Raymond was always sending me information and helping me improve my life. 

 In college, I began meeting Raymond for lunches once every month or two after taking the advice from relatives that my grandparents would not be around forever, so I should spend as much time as possible with them. While that statement seemed true at the time, it has never felt as true as it does now. The lunch tradition carried on for years and I will always appreciate the time I spent with Raymond and Judy at our favorite local spots like "The Mag" (Magnolia Cafe) and Matt's El Rancho. 

 As I reflect back on my life up to this point, Raymond has played an essential and important role in every phase from my early childhood up to early adulthood. From words of wisdom to downright fun, Raymond was predictably unpredictable and embodied living life the way it was meant to be. He taught me to take in the small things in life as well as enjoy the big things, he taught me to be stubborn and pushy yet soft and gentle, he taught me to take risks and be bold but also to reflect and think strategically, and he taught me to look out for myself yet navigate the world with empathy. I will carry his emphasis of balance with me for the rest of my time here on Earth. Life will not be the same without Raymond, but learning to deal with the ups and downs of life through Raymond's living philosophy is something from which we could all learn.    Love you, Papa.

One thing I can say for sure about Raymond, is that he enjoyed having a good time. Here are a few of the things that he really liked, and I feel fortunate that I was able to spend lots of time with him over the past 30 years or so enjoying most of the things on this list.



The Longhorns - Football, baseball and basketball (men's and women's). It’s interesting that he eventually did not want to watch the Horns play live. He told me that it was too much trouble and that he could just watch the games in his own house sitting in his own chair. On the other hand, he spent several years going to UT baseball games at Disch Falk Field, splitting 4 season tickets with former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who was a long-time friend of his.



Barbeque - Raymond rarely had BBQ that he didn't like, but I know that we all ate plenty of Railroad, Donn's and Saltlick with him while enjoying a Longhorn game or the Superbowl. As expected, he was fond of traditional Texas BBQ...and all of those listed above fit squarely into that category. Even though he often questioned the consistency of Railroad, he would always go back and give them another chance...until they finally closed.



Hanging out with family - Raymond once told me that family was the most important thing to him. I think he really enjoyed having lots of different people around enjoying a holiday, a UT football game, a birthday or a "just because" occasion. There was always lots of food, noise, and people of all ages, with Judy operating at full speed in the background making everything happen!



Raymond liked the Dallas Cowboys- Whether they were winning the Super Bowl with Troy Aikman or blowing it at the end of the game with Tony Romo, he never gave up on America's Team. I’ve never been a big Cowboys fan myself and I think he knew that...but we still had fun watching the games, win or lose.



Basically, all sports - I already mentioned the Longhorns and Cowboys. For Raymond, those two entities were in a class by themselves. He would also get into sports that I never paid any attention to, including drag racing, NASCAR, Formula One, Bull Riding, dirt track racing (or whatever that was called), all sorts of lumberjack sawing and chopping competitions, professional arm wrestling and other random "sports". He would rarely keep up with thus stuff for very long, but when he really got into it, he would learn all about it.



Food - I already mentioned BBQ, but he also liked grilled pork, steak, fish, shrimp, chicken, turkey, and virtually every other kind of meat dish. Add to that, almost every vegetable and salad you could come up with. He seemed to favor Jack Allen's and Eddie V's in recent years, but also enjoyed Sullivan's, “The Spoke”, Matt's, "The Mag", Pappadeaux, Texican, Tres Amigos (for a while)...and a bunch of other places that I cannot recall right now.



Raymond liked to travel - Skiing at Beaver Creek numerous times, Port Royal at Port Aransas, Maui, cruising (the two-week Mediterranean cruise on the Grand Princess - probably my favorite trip ever), the 40-hour fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico (never to be forgotten!), my bachelor trip to Houston (Judy’s comment when we got home, "you guys look ROUGH"), the College World Series in Omaha, NASCAR races, and several random long road trips to various parts of the US. I've heard all kinds of interesting stories about Mexico trips from the past, but since I didn’t go, I would only be speculating on what really happened there. I do know that he really enjoyed the trips that he went on with Judy...he told me so himself.



Being at home - It's fitting that he spent his last days at home. This is where he felt most comfortable and relaxed. He enjoyed feeding the deer, being in the pool, enjoying the hot tub, watching the birds, fighting the armadillos, mowing the field, talking about how high the creek got last spring (or whenever), watching sports on TV, working in the office, cooking on the grill, feeding the fish…and being in his chair. We had all kinds of meaningful (and meaningless) conversations in and around the house. I will always smile when I remember the countless hours we spent there just hanging out. Raymond often told me that we were “always welcome” there, and I know he meant that.



Even though Raymond and I can no longer share in these activities, I will always think of him while eating BBQ and watching sports!



Bruce Walden (Raymond and Judy's favorite son-in-law...their only son-in-law!)

I always enjoyed talking with Uncle Raymond!  We shared many passions and an occupation and love for construction.  We both enjoyed talking about our careers as we both worked and still work for large multi-national contractors.  His experiences gave me insight to what is to come in my career as he was performing his work 30 years ahead of me.  I truly enjoyed all of our Thanksgiving dinner conversations and any other opportunity it got to speak with him.  He had a giant personality and stature and was full of life!  I will miss his laugh, wisdom and character!

I have so many fond memories of my uncle I almost don't know where to begin!  I first off will always remember his smile.  It was always huge and bright and warm and welcoming.  He would always welcome you into his home with a huge hug no matter who you were or where you came from.  I remember the smell of his pipe tobacco.  It is a scent that I will always remember him by.  
He and Aunt Judy opened their home to several of my birthday parties and I can still see him in his apron grilling hot dogs and making silly faces with a group of 9 and 10 year old girls.  
Going out of town with him was always an adventure!  I remember one trip to Port Aransas when he made a very potent batch of beans.  I think everyone was very "musical" for a few days.  Any time after that trip if we arrived at Raymond and Judy's house and there were beans we would ask if they were "Raymond's beans".  
He was one of the most avid Texas Longhorn fans I have ever met!  Some of my earliest memories include going to the Frank Erwin Center to watch the Lady Longhorns play. He would always buy me a big pretzel and everything was right with the world.  Little did we know that years down the line I would attend Texas A&M!  The day I got my acceptance letter from A&M he happened to be at our house either coming from or going to a UT sporting event and he was draped with burnt orange from head to toe.  When I told him I was going to A&M he gave me one of his signature hugs and said he was so proud of me for getting in because he knew how hard it was to get in to such a great school.  On Thanksgiving there was never any trash talk no matter who won the infamous UT vs. A&M Thanksgiving games.  He was a true Longhorn gentleman.  
Raymond truly and genuinely was interested in your life and what you were doing all the time.  He made you feel like what you were doing or what you were saying was the most important thing going on in the world at that moment.  It seemed he had a common interest with everyone he met and if he didn't have on at first he would always find one.  
Aunt Judy and Uncle Raymond would keep us in the summer for a few days and we always called it "Camp Canion".  I remember swimming all day and night, shelling and eating pecans by the pool, endless watermelon and seed spitting contests, and blue Kool Aid.
I could go on and on with all the memories I have of my Uncle Raymond.  The world lost an amazing human being when he passed away but I have comfort in knowing I will see him again in Heaven.  I know he will be waiting for me with a smile on his face and hug to give just like he always does.  I miss him dearly and pray he rests in peace!

I would like to share some of my favorite memories of Raymond.
About 5 years ago, Ray surprised me and gave me a longhorn back pack that he had bought for me to take to tail gates at the UT games. 

Ray LOVED our MeeMa.  He not only welcomed her to live in his home, but the care and attention he gave her was tremendous, and I will forever be truly grateful.

Raymond loved my deviled eggs.

I loved Raymond's prayers at Thanksgiving.

I loved how Raymond brought Bruno to his house for every holiday.

I loved how when things were not going so good with Meemaw and Papa Terrell, Raymond put Terrell in his car and set out to find a place for him.  He ended up finding the most perfectly awesome, place to live.  Terrell was so happy there.  I never told Raymond what a good job he did on such an important task.

I loved how when we were so broke in 1990, we moved into a house that previously had a swimming pool that had been filled in with dirt.  After a pitcher of Margaritas at Tres Amigos one night, we decided the kids should dig the dirt out of the pool to see what shape it was in.  I left the next day to go out of town on business for 5 days.  When I came home, Raymond had sent heavy equipment over to finish the job, and we had a pool.  One week later we were swimming.

I will always miss Raymond.

I will always remember Uncle Ray as being larger than life. Big man, big ideas, big heart, big personality. As a little girl I adored him. He always had the coolest stuff, from cars to pools, hot tubs, toys, animals and so on. My uncle had peacocks and llamas and no one else at school could say the same. Judy and Raymond were always so generous to me and my other cousins/second cousins/once removed/whatever yall are. I could not wait to visit and play with the HUGE box of Barbie accessories, it was like a dream for me. He'd tolerate me running around his office, borrowing Judy's highlighter sets and pretty much being in the way. We'd make huge pallets in front of their big screen and watch movies, hopefully falling asleep before Raymond did ;) I never once remember my uncle shying away from us kids. He wanted to be around us, he wanted us around him. He was selective with the people he surrounded himself with and it meant the world to me that he chose to be around me. Even as I grew up that did not change. I loved getting an invite to the UT baseball game, an afternoon of chatting and salted peanuts with my uncle was always the family recharge I needed being away from my parents. We never grew up with much family, Raymond was my only uncle as my dad's family was far far away down under, but I never was at a loss for familial love. Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday because of the Canions. Standing in their kitchen holding hands with Bruno saying a prayer around a turkey dinner is embodiment of family to me. I will greatly miss my bigger than life uncle and his amazing bear hugs but I will carry his memory and love with me always.

Judy, I really enjoyed the time I was able to spend with Raymond.  He was always a kind and generous person and I especially appreciate the special attention that he paid to my mother in her latter years. I learned a great deal from Raymond's example on how to not only enjoy life - but to participate fully. Such as his patience in watching and savoring every inning of a Longhorn baseball game or selecting and anticipating our next restaurant for breakfast. I will miss my breakfasts with Raymond. I think that Cisco's Bakery was his favorite location - Not just for the Migas but for the many memories of Austin that reside in that building. He did love Austin and its history and I loved spending time with Raymond. I always felt better after our visits. He was bigger than life and his heart was even bigger. I am a better person for having known him.
Your Favorite Cousin

There are so many memories when thinking of Raymond; but there a few that standout.  The  "Blue Bird Bus" trips were always an adventure.  The parking lot "bump" with another bus in the parking lot of Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus.  Or the trip to Dallas for a Stars hockey game when the  bus keep throwing belts that drove the air brakes and taking all night and part of next morning getting home.   And of course "The Fishing Trip" from hell.  (enough said about that)  There was the "Memaw Pie Wars" where either Ray or I would find out that mom had made fried pies and had given one of us the pies and not the other.  There was the time Raymond had my kids produce a certificate declaring him an  "Honorary Swede" hoping it would help ease the wrath of the "enforcer" when he messed up.  Things would happen when Ray would take us out on his boat; like running aground on "Sometime Island" on Lake Travis, or running out of gas on Lake Austin and having to row up to "The Pier" the whole time being serenaded to "Row, Row Your Boat" by the band.  Eventually Raymond sold the boat to me for a VERY reasonable price. ( I think he got tired of paying the boat slip fee)  I remember the lively conversations at "Friday" lunches with the Kitchen Brothers at the Broken Spoke, and of course the  "unauthorized" lunch when Raymond and I took Memaw to the Spoke for lunch and beverages.  The memory I will always cherish was the time Ray took me and Blair to his deer lease outside of Brady for Blair's first deer hunt.  To be with Ray and see how thrilled he was to be part of the experience of Blair shooting his first buck.   Raymond was a great brother-in-law; but an even better friend.  He is dearly missed.

I have so many enjoyable memories of spending time with Uncle Raymond including the things he helped introduce me to while I was growing up.  He always seemed so interested in me and the things that were going on in my life.  He open my life up to many adventures that I will never forget.  
One memory I have was the time I had my 9th birthday at my Aunt and Uncle's house.  It was a camp out with a hand full of my friends. We set up camp down by the creek and had BB gun games that included shooting balloons which had prizes in them.  The camp fire that night was so memorable and we even cooked breakfast over it the next morning.  Cooking scrambled eggs in a cast iron skillet over a hot bed of coals is something everyone should experience.  The night of the campout Uncle Raymond and my Dad grouped everyone up and said we were going snipe hunting.  Everyone said, "What's a snipe?".  They explained that a snipe was a small bird that lived in the open field and only came out at night.  The object of the hunt was to creep around in the pitch black field without a light and to listen for the snipe to call.  Once located, we were to pounce in the bird and catch it in a pillow case.  The real story about the snipe hunt was there were no snipes in the field we were hunting.  I think they actually only live in swampy marshlands.  Basically, a snipe hunt is an opportunity for a parent, and Uncle in this case, to have young kids wonder around the middle of a dark field looking for something that is not even there.  While we were doing this, the adults get in the car and take off.  It basically scared the hell out of us kids who just found out we had been left in the middle of nowhere in the pitch dark!  Sounds pretty funny, right?  Well, Uncle Raymond and my Dad's plan didn't quite work out that way.  We caught on to their plan and began to freak out when they tried to leave.  A few of us thru so much of a fit that Uncle Raymond and my Dad didn't have the heart to leave us out there and their plan was ruined.  Whether we were actually left to fend for ourselves out there or not, I will always remember that "hunt".  It was the type of life experience you will cherish forever.  
One day out of the blue Uncle Raymond called my Dad and asked if I could come over to his house that evening.  He said he had something to give to me.  That night when we met up he was carrying a gun inside a soft case.  The gun was a single shot .410 shotgun and he asked me if I wanted it.  Of course I accepted it.  This was the first real gun, other than a BB gun, that was ever given to me.  I will never forget this gift for it opened up an entire new world for me.   Hunting soon began a very important part of my life.  It gave me the opportunity to get away from everyday school life and learn about the outdoors as well as spend much needed quality time with my Dad. Years later Uncle Raymond also gave me a Smith & Wesson 20 gauge automatic that I still use today.
I ended up going on a number of hunts with my Uncle.  One of which was the time he invited may Dad and me to his deer lease in Brady Texas.   It was this trip where I shot my first buck.  It was a 9 point and I will never forget the experience.  I'm sure Uncle Raymond was always proud to have given me this opportunity.
Uncle Raymond was also an integral part to my biggest hobby, fishing of course!  He set up my first guided fishing trip out of Port Aransas Texas.  Ray, my Dad and I went out early one morning and caught a mess of speckled trout while drift fishing using piggy perch as bait.  I'm happy to say that this trip was a big reason why I have such a passion for fishing today.  Later in life Uncle Raymond, Dad, Steve, Bruce and I went out on a 24  hour deep sea fishing charter.  I remember catching fish until I couldn't fish any longer, went to sleep for a while and then went after them again and caught some more until it was time to head in to the dock.  And I do recall a handful of other people that I will not name getting so seasick I don't think they even wet a line!  We can save that part of the story for another time.
Back in the 80's Uncle Raymond caught a sailfish while fishing in Acapulco.  He had it mounted and I remember it hanging on the wall in their living room for years.  One day Aunt Judy wanted it out of the house.  So again, Ray called and asked if I wanted it.  Of course I accepted and that darn fish made it to every house I have lived in since.  The fish is actually hanging in our office now.  I love to tell the story of Ray catching it and how I inherited it when people ask. 
Uncle Raymond helped open my eyes to the outdoors and I am truly thankful for him.  I will take these memories with me for the rest of my life.  I miss him and wish we could do it all over again.  He was a great man.


Growing up in South Austin, I remember Raymond first through my older sisters and my classmate Mary, his sister.  I went to many Travis High School football games to watch my sisters in the marching band being led by this tall, handsome drum major: Raymond Canion!

Imagine my surprise when, after moving to Washington, D.C. to be with my future husband, I received a Christmas card from a "North Austin" girl I befriended in 1968, Judy Helgren, who reported that she was dating someone I might know: Raymond Canion.  What a small world!

After returning to Austin in 1986, my Ray and Raymond golfed occasionally, and Judy and I resumed our friendship.  I loved reminiscing with Raymond about the Austin we experienced growing up, the people we knew, and even which stocks to buy.  He was a unique personality who will be missed and will be remembered as a good man who loved his family dearly.

My earliest memories of my Dad are riding in his truck. He took me everywhere it seemed and it was always an adventure. He taught me to love God, people, dogs, boats, sailing, skiing, hunting, motorcycles, road trips, UT football-basketball-baseball, golf, sports cars and trucks, and helping people. He was always helping people wherever he went. I got up one morning and he took me to see this huge dilapidated shrimp boat in aransas pass. The captain was so proud of his boat and happy to see Dad. He thanked him for the money to get the boat ready to go shrimping. His family depended on him and that boat.Dad had met the captain that morning out having coffee at 5am at whataburger. He worked really hard running his businesses but the weekends were always dedicated to having fun with family. We always had a boat parked on lake Austin and we had great times skiing, swimming , just boatriding and eating at ski shores and the pier.
He was bigger than life and we loved him as our father and best friend. I will always treasure seeing Europe by cruise ship with Dad taking the whole family. Me and Bruce and Dad were sitting outside the Palace in Monte Carlo and a tourist asked us if the King was there now. Dad said the King didn't live there, He lived in Memphis. They walked off bewildered as we laughed - of course He meant Elvis was the King. He loved Many pastors, and I always loved watching Joel Osteen with him.
He was always our teacher- hunting birds and deer, how to fish, how to waterski on 2 then 1 ski, ride a tricycle, bicycle,motorcycle, how to help people, how to love family, and much more.
But then there was one more thing........He always taught us by doing it first then coaching us how to do it. 
While in ICU, He died and came back. At first not understanding he said Im dead , I shouldnt be here. He looked at his hand . This is a hand but its not me. Thats a foot but thats not me. This is a head but thats not me. He had experienced life and love and teaching going on once he died and left his body. Then later He said they let him come back. He showed us what heaven was like by the profound way it changed him. He was the epicenter of joy ,peace ,love ,compassion and wisdom- even though he knew he was dying. He gave us messages from Yahweh. God sent his son Jesus and he walked the Earth. The virgin birth really happened. You were individually hand created by God for a special purposeand everything will work out and happen the way its supposed to. All you have to do is have faith.

Heaven is real, and We don't really die, just our physical body.

I am not sure how to put into words what Raymond meant to me.  Not only was his Company (Canion Excavation & J. K. C. INC.) my first job in (1990) it was the beginning of my extended family.  He took me in as his little girl!!!  One of my fondest memories was the weekend we took our Company fishing trip to Port "A", I got so sea sick.  He made sure I sat with him for the rest of the trip and did his best to take care of me.  He is my Second DAD!!!  I will forever Love him and Miss him.

Raymond to me was much more than a employer and my BOSS. I schooled myself on the way he did his job as Boss. He had one way of doing things and that was HIS Way. I am very thankful to have had him in my life.Raymond was the kind of MAN that would call you either on the phone or on the CARPET to eat a hunk out of your Tail End and after just getting a chewing out you FELT BAD that he had to take time out of his day to do it. I am very lucky to have meet Raymond and had him in my life.Raymond and Judy thought they owned a Construction Company but somewhere along the way they ended up with a extended Family and Raised a whole CREW. Thank you Both.Pat Canion Excavating is Still today Building and growing TEXAS threw all there Employees ( extended Family) that both have passed there knowledge on to.

I can not believe Uncle Raymond is not here anymore.  One thing that I admired about him what that he did what he wanted, and it was always fun!  He lived his life, to the fullest and made you want to do the same.  He wanted a new car, the next thing you knew, he had the new car.  Same thing with beach condos, motorcycles, sailboats, RVs, ski boats, lake houses.   

It makes me smile to think of the things that we did together.  Like when we went on a motorcycle ride through the Hill Country and stopping for a beer at a biker bar on the way home.  That day was so fun and I felt like such a rebel.  A preppy girl on the back of a bike in a biker bar. Or when he took my siblings and I on his boat on Lake Austin to tube and get a burger at The Pier.  The boat broke down and we were paddling in to the restaurant and the person that calls you for your order being ready started singing "row row row your boat".  Being in Jr. High or High school, I was mortified!  But after that burger, him getting the boat started again, and driving off, I was cracking up. Speaking of food, I also remember the time we went to the steak house where the do the tricks and cook the food in front of you.  I was sitting next to him. He told me that if you push your plate right up against the grill, they will give you more.  I fell for it.  We both had our plates basically ON the grill. The guy comes to cook and pushes my plate back, but leaves his up there.  Again, so embarrased.  But he had me laughing as soon as the guy starting throwing shrimp.  I will miss my Uncle Raymond, but I will try to be fun like him and live my life to the fullest to honor him.

Papa took me to my very first Longhorn baseball game. Although it didn't get me into sports, it is still a fond memory. I even got a Longhorn shirt to wear to the game! (Which I still have actually.) I also remember getting a sunburn from sitting in the sun forever during that game.. haha! 

He always gave such big warm hugs whenever we'd see him, and I'll always miss them. He had a contagious laugh as well!

I also loved staying with him & Gigi during Horse Camp week. We always had stories to tell them both about each day and he loved hearing them.

I miss you, Papa ❤

Towards the end...when Dad was very ill...I told him how much I would miss him when he was gone.  His response to me was..."don't miss me...remember me."

When I remember Dad, I will remember his love of fun and family.  When my brothers and I were very young, Dad always had fun things for us to do.  He gave us a motorized mini bike one Christmas that we spent many days on riding dirt trails around Austin.  When I was a little older, he surprised me with a trampoline.  I jumped on that trampoline for years...and fell off of it many times too!  He loved the lake, and bought a boat that we kept docked on Lake Austin.  We spent endless summers skiing up and down the lake...being pulled on inner tubes behind the boat...and just cruising around the lake having fun.  Dad and I shared a love of cars.  He was always buying cool sports cars that were a blast to drive.  He even let me drive his Corvette for a while when I was in high school and without a car.  He also loved motorcycles, and drove me around Austin on the back of them...those always made me a little nervous!  He owned two different motor homes...boy did we have some adventures traveling in those!  You never knew WHAT was going to happen when you left home...and usually had some hilarious stories to tell when you returned!  Later in life he bought a condominium in Port Aransas right on the beach.  It was a beautiful place with a huge swimming pool and great beach access.  He also went in with several other people and bought a condominium in Avon, Colorado at the Beaver Creek Ski Resort.  We had some great times skiing up there and even went up for the summer one year.  One night, he invited us all to dinner and surprised the whole family by telling us he was taking us on a two week Mediterranean cruise on the Grand Princess.  It was the first cruise I had ever been on...and ruined any hope of another cruise ever matching it again!  We had an amazing two weeks at sea and saw some incredible sights.  Even being at Dad's house could be an adventure...with a swimming pool, hot tub, trampoline, pool table, the latest in video game consoles, all the most fun toys for a kid to ride or drive up and down the driveway....a creek nearby to explore...and any number of crazy animals (including llamas)!...I had a hard time getting MY kids to come home after a weekend spent at GiGi & PaPa's house!

I think the true reason Dad always had all these fun things going on around him...was that he just wanted to be with his family and be loved.  He was always wanting us to come over to watch a football game or go for a swim...to celebrate a holiday...to come see his latest "toy or gadget" he had acquired...to go with him on a road trip to see the Astros play or go with him to a Texas baseball game.  He just loved his family and more than anything else wanted to spend time with them.

That's what I'll remember about you Dad.

Raymond and I grew up together, he was only two years older than me.  My best memories are of Christmas morning when my Dad and I would make the rounds of Aunt Lottie's, Raymond's folks, J.C. Evans, and Mama and Papa Kitchens to have a cup of egg nog with all and celebrate a good year.  RIP my friend.

Ray was the original family guy. He hardly ever missed a wedding, graduation, reunion, birth or funeral. Ray was the stand in for my dad when Andy and I married. He arrived shortly after Canion and Bennett were born. When I had surgery he was there. Ray made it to Canion and Bennett's high school and college graduations as well as white coat ceremony and med school graduation. I cannot remember a family event where he was missing. I give thanks for a brother that took such an interest in me and my family. Love you Bro.

Raymond and I first met at Becker Elementary in 4th grade.  We remained close friends until his death.  I would like to share some memories of our friendship.

We both played Little League baseball in the South Austin League.  I recall a picture in the Austin paper of the two of us shaking hands at home plate before a game between our teams.  I wish I could find that picture.

We used to play baseball in the back yard of the home where I grew up.  Fun!

Becker, then Fulmore, and on to Travis.  During those days we spent time together with friends enjoying being boys and young men.  Raymond had a boat and we spent many enjoyable days on Lake Austin water skiing and a little beer drinking, too.

One thing that comes to mind is an experience we had on Barton Creek up stream from the Barton Springs pool  While jumping from rock to rock in the creek, Raymond slipped an fell, striking his head on a rock.  He went under the water and I pulled him out.  He was convinced that I saved his life;  maybe so but maybe he could have surfaced without my help.

I recall riding with him as he inspected the various job sites where his company was working.

Another memory involves a visit to my home in Duncanville he made while on a trip to the area looking for heavy equipment for his company.  After visiting a while on the  patio and my introducing him to my Doberman, Do, he went in to shower and change clothes.  On his return to the patio, Do, not recognizing him, decided to attack.  Raymond jumped in our pool to save himself!

Raymond and Judy visited me and my wife Betty when we lived in NC.  We had an enjoyable trip to the NC mountains and also visited Charlotte Motor Speedway and the race shops of Hendrick Motorsports.

My family owned some acreage that bordered the 18th fairway at Forest Creek Golf Club.  Raymond, my wife Betty and I were walking our property and came across hundred of golf balls lost from errant drives.  We started picking them up and Raymond commented it was like an Easter Egg Hunt.

Raymond was mad at my wife because he said she would move back to Austin with me when I retired.  That didn't happen and he never let her forget it.

Raymond, old friend, we'll continue to make memories when I join you on the other side.  Rest in peace.

Uncle Raymond is my favorite uncle.  Granted, being so close to me growing up gave him a major advantage over the other two, he had a major influence on me.  Each summer growing up, Mom and Dad decided they had enough of me and would send me to Uncle Raymond and Judy's place for a couple weeks.  During these summers, Uncle Raymond and Aunt Judy would take me and my cousin to places all over the Hill Country; mostly swimming holes and nature trails. From time to time we would go explore what new property he bought and what he planned to transform it into.  Uncle Raymond helped me develop a respect and love for the Texas Hill Country, to honor its beauty.  As Uncle Raymond was a connoisseur of all things on wheels, we would go on occasional tours of the countryside be it on a bus, in a convertible, in a sedan, or on a motorbike.  Uncle Raymond simply loved to drive.  He was the first to take me on a motorbike.  I remember sitting on the back of that bike hanging on for dear life. He was the first to take me skiing as well.  We all went up to Breckenridge we he enrolled me in ski school.  I remember that was the first time I almost skied off of a cliff to certain demise. But, he was there to make sure I got home safely.  Later in his life, Uncle Raymond become a stock market guru.  With every visit he would show me his strategy and which stocks he felt were hot.  I am very grateful that I got to have these times with my Uncle. I was able to learn more about him and who he was. He was a good man, and the world will miss him dearly.

Judy, your in my thoughts and prayers.  It was a privilege knowing Raymond.  I always enjoyed talking with him. Raymond was one of those rare kind of guys that could talk to anyone and make you feel instantly important.  He will truly be missed.  My best to you and your family.

What do you say when you sign your own father's guest book? I could write a novel. It is bittersweet when you still live in the same city where you grew up....there are memories of loved ones who have died everywhere around you. I will especially miss my dad when I eat breakfast at Magnolia Cafe....when I eat lunch at Matt's El Rancho...when I have dinner at Jack Allen's and Eddie V's....when dad is missing from my home on Christmas Eve...when he's not there to say the prayer before our Thanksgiving lunch....when he's not beside me watching the Longhorns play football...when I cross the loop 360 bridge and remember all the fun times we had on Lake Austin...when I go to his house and he's not there. Most of all I will miss just knowing that he was there, and I could pick up the phone and call him or drive to his house and see him at any time. Austin will never be the same for me...there will be a big hole left from his absence. I love you dad.

Raymond and I were in a UT engineering class together in 1959 and I have always treasured our friendship over the years that began in that class.  May, what I am sure are great memories of Raymond comfort his family in his loss.

To the Raymond Canion Family

  I would like to extend my deepest sympathies for your loss.  I'd also like to share a few fond memories I have of Raymond from our much younger days.  We once went quail hunting in El Indio on the Mexican border, accompanied by Pat and the Jackson brothers - I had never been quail hunting before and tried to pick the quail - they watched and let me finish, and then got a big laugh at my expense.    Also on a deer hunting trip with Pat on the Ruby Ranch, Raymond loaned me one of his deer rifles, a 264 Magnum, and after I shot it I told him it kicked like a mule - he laughed and said "Well, that's why I loaned it to you!"  We also had some good times on fishing trips at the coast.  One thing I really do remember about Raymond was his large personality and his great big smile.  He will be missed.  
                                                    Butch Pagnozzi

Judy......Carol and I treasure the memories of so many good times with you and Raymond back in the '70s and '80s, along with Jack and Phyllis, Joe and Margaret, Pat and Louis and all the other great friends.   Raymond was a prince of a man and you were his special Princess.   Thanks for the wonderful memories and know that our hearts are with you.
Glen and Carol Castlebury, Austin

Uncle Raymond left an indelible impact on my life through boating/skiing, live music, hunting and many other activities. I will miss him dearly. God bless Raymond and his family.

Raymond was my dads cousin and was always a joy to be around.  The last time I saw him was at my dads funeral and he spoke about Lester and had the decency to thank me for taking care of my dad in his final days, that said a lot about the type of person that he was, always seeing the good in people, he will be missed by many, Derek Brooks

Cousin Judy and Family,  we are so sorry for your loss.  I will always remember Raymond as a happy man ready to have a good time.  He could always make you smile!  Love to all.

Judy, my precious friend--please know my thoughts and prayers have been with you since hearing of Raymond passing--what a force of nature.  I have relished remembering all of our wonderful happy times we shared!  Raymond was  full of love especially for YOU and his family!  Much love from Becky  ps I think Malcolm and Raymond are enjoying each other in heaven!!

Uncle Raymond ~ you will be truly missed. We appreciated your continual input into our lives. Your Christmas cards beat everyone else ~ always the first one we received each year! Additionally, yours & Judy's ongoing support for our children, their graduations & continual support of their musical interests & career goals throughout life were always a delight. Finally, your support of my cancer long ago shall always be treasured. You generated smiles and heartfelt memories. You will be missed! Sending many hugs and love!

Shannon Roberts (Austin, TX)

Judy and family:  Saddened to hear of Raymond's passing.  Always enjoyed our visits when he came into the CPA office. He will be missed.  God's peace and blessings on all of you at this sad time.

Raymond was one of a kind! He loved life and his family and friends. He was always ready to have fun. He will be missed by so many, but I expect is having some wonderful reunions with his friends and family who have preceded him.Judy was a wonderful, devoted wife to him, and I know will miss him. Prayers for comfort for all his family as they mourn, and celebrate a life well lived.

Sure had some good times with Raymond ... Llamas and RV rides to the Hargrove reunion ... as well as some hot and dusty times working for Canion. Will always be thankful for giving me my first real job, and for everything he did for our family, especially in Loyd's later years. All my love to Judy, Mary Lou, and family. John Hargrove

Raymond and I were 2nd cousins but we saw a lot of things alike.  the last time I saw Raymond was in a restaurant in north Austin when I was there for in-service with TPWD.  Praises, and God will accept a good man and a good servant.  Rest in Peace Cousin.

Farewell long time client, fellow Longhorn and most of all great friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Judy and your entire family.

My neighbor, my friend.  Raymond Canion was larger than life! It was so much fun growing up next "door" to Raymond and Judy.  There was always something fun and crazy going on over there and Raymond let me in on some of those fun moments like the Llama riding excursions. My heart aches for the loss of such a great man.   Judy and family, may you find peace during this sorrowful time.

Really missed seeing Raymond and family since we no longer met at Brownwood for our Hargrove Family Reunions. We were such a close family, but miles and time spread us apart over the years. Prayers and thoughts for the Family during this sorrowful time.  Love to you all, Yvonne Banks Morgan

My friend and neighbor through the Forrest and across the creek for many years.
Great memories with all my love.

Chuck Berry
Elgin Tx

Best neighbor ever. Always felt safe knowing Raymond was next door if I needed help. Love to the family.  He was a wonderful guy.

OBITUARY

Raymond P. Canion

November 10, 1938 – July 23, 2016

Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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