Reuben Edwin Raymond

Reuben Edwin Raymond was born on May 12, 1930 in Marion Township, MN, and was called home to Jesus on November 26, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Beverly (Markee) Raymond of Arlington, WA; his daughters, Corinn (Raymond) Hooton of Salem, OR, and Renee Raymond of Arlington, WA; his son-in-law, Gary Vaught of Everett, WA; 4 grandchildren, Jennifer (Raymond) Myers, Jonathan Hooton, Kaitlyn (Hooton) Winokur and Jeffrey Hooton; 3 grandchildren-in-law, Donna (Jonathan), Benjamin (Kaitlyn), and Cassie (Jeffrey); and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Linda Vaught.

Reuben was the youngest child born to George (Tom) and Grace Raymond. He had an older brother, Gaylen (Jerry), and a sister, Beverly. He grew up on a farm in Marion Township, MN, which later became part of Rochester, MN. He loved telling stories of his childhood and had researched and created an extensive Family Tree, dating back to the 1600’s. He began driving at 9 years old to help with chores on the farm. When he was small he used to make money by raising the orphan lambs, selling them when they were grown. Being part of a large extended family (his grandfather was one of 11 children and his grandmother was one of 16), he had lots of cousins to play with, sometimes getting into a bit of mischief.

Reuben and Bev met in high school and it was love from the moment they met. He held a job as a doorman at the Mayo Clinic and had many stories about the famous people that he saw, including the tallest man in the world. Reuben served in the Army as part of the Army Rangers, a special paratroop unit. After the Army, he and Bev moved to Washington State for a new job at Boeing assembling planes. They made a home at Lake Stevens and later moved to Seattle. Reuben began working in construction and remained in that field for 40 years until he retired. He worked as foreman on several projects, including the MRI units at Harborview Hospital and new buildings at University of Washington and in Everett, WA. He coordinated the building of Shoreline Christian Church and Greenwood Christian Church in Seattle. He met his lifelong friend, Gene Parks, working in construction and they have remained good friends for over 50 years.

Reuben was a good husband, provider and father. He believed in having integrity and a ‘working hard’ ethic. He always completed a job to the best of his ability. Reuben made sure that those around him knew they were loved. He left a legacy of faith, love and family. He will be dearly missed. His wife, children, grand-children and great grand-children were blessed to have him in their life and will always know they came from good “stock”.

Reuben succumbed to pneumonia on November 26, 2019. He fought hard but in the end God called him home. He is with his family that passed before him and we know he is healthy and happy. We wait for the time when we shall be reunited.

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”