Raymond A. Percival, 94, of Rochester Hills, passed away January 5, 2016. Ray was married 61 years to the late Jeanette Percival. Born in Paris, France on February 9, 1921, Raymond moved to the United States permanently in 1935. During WWII, Ray enlisted in the Army Air Corp serving as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 as part of the 390th Bomber Group. Shot down on his ninth mission, he was held prisoner in Stalag 17B for almost 14 months. After the war, Raymond earned degrees from Western Michigan University and the University of Colorado. Ray spent 31 years with the Flint Public Schools, first as a French teacher at Flint Central and later as coordinator of foreign languages. He also oversaw the foreign language program for Mott Foundation. Residing in Flint for over 50 years, Ray was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Downtown Flint Lions Club, Flint Travel Club, American Legion, and the 390th Bomber Group. His passion was traveling.
Raymond is survived by his children, Mark (Kathy), Janine (John) Corbets; Grandchildren, Jody Percival, Dana Percival, Jeff (Shelly) Corbets, and Lindsey (James) Murphy and two great-grandchildren, Cole and Lucas.
A memorial gathering will be held on January 21, 2016 from 2-8 pm at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Dr. Rochester, MI 48307. Committal service will be Friday January 22, 2016 at 10:30 am at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd. Holly, MI. A memorial service will follow at Waltonwood, 3250 E. Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills, MI 48309 at 12:30 pm
Memorial donations suggested to Michigan Animal Rescue League, 790 Featherstone Pontiac, MI 48342 or to Leader Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 5000 Rochester, MI 48308. Please visit www.pixleyfuneral.com
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