Raymond Lawrence McDermott

Raymond was born in Bell, California, to John and Florence McDermott and raised in Compton, California. He is survived by his wife Patricia Jane Perry, and their five Children; Kim(Jeff), Steven, Debbie(Jay), Michelle(Todd) and Jaime,

16 grandchildren; Wyatt, Trent, Abbie & Rachel Whittington; Blaire, Cole & Grant Tribulski; McKenna, Cameron & Conner Ibey; and Ben, Elizabeth, Maddie, Zac, William & Caroline Eddy; and great grandchildren: Hudson & Aiden Ibey; Calvin and Dean Bazzle & James, Noah, Daniel and Luke Morrissey.

As a young boy of 12, Ray was an entrepreneur and had his own shoe-shine business in South Gate, CA, and his own lawn-mowing business. As Patricia say’s; “He wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty!”

He was a busboy and dishwasher at Marmax, the finest restaurant in Lynwood. It was his experience at Marmax that he gained his love for Prime Rib and fine dining. A Hawaiian dishwasher that he worked with taught Raymond the Ukelele and how to master the perfect strum.

He had many songs perfected in his repertoire and used many in his courting of Patricia.

Raymond has always had a great love for cars, and, in High School, was in a car club called “The Huns”, He loved all the cars he had, and loved looking at the newest Cadillacs…but, no other car did he love as much his Chevy El Camino El Conquista.

Ray loved Water skiing and was in the Pacific Telephone water-skiing team, he made his own ski and when he had a family, made many trips to Lake Havasu, Big Bear & Bass Lake. There were more than a few times that Ray pulled Patricia, and three other McDermott’s behind the boat!

After High School, Ray trained to be a Journeyman Glazer for Thompson glass, and did many artistic glass installations and

artworks for Hollywood celebrities, including Anthony Quinn, and became quite adept at glass-cutting and design.

In 1957 Ray married the love of his life, Patricia Jane Perry and they enjoyed a year together waterskiing on their

custom-made ski-boat, “The Miss Mac”, until Ray received his draft papers calling him to Fort Hood, Texas., where he was

trained to be a radio operator and Morse-code expert. He and Patricia were then transferred to Heilbronn, Germany where they were stationed for 2 years during the cold war. They loved Germany and its culture. They bought a 1959 Volkswagen Bug, and, on their leave-time, travelled all over Europe, enjoying skiing in the Alps & summers on The French Riviera. Upon Honorable discharge as a PFC, they returned to the US, and shortly thereafter, Kim was born. During the Berlin crisis, Ray was re-inducted into the service, and the little family moved back to Fort Hood.

Upon returning to civilian life Ray and Patti began managing apartments in Compton, CA, and bought their first house on

La Capelle in La Mirada, California. Over the years Ray and Patti welcomed Steven, Debbie and Michelle to the family at the La Capelle house, where they played in the three-story playhouse hand-built by Ray.

With his glass glazing experience, Ray started his own company, Ray’s Glass, where he continued custom glass and mirror installation throughout the southland.

Ray attended and graduated from East Los Angeles College with a degree in Fire Science. Upon completion, Ray joined

The Los Angeles County Fire Department where he served for 30 years as a firefighter, engineer, and Captain.

Along with being a fireman, Ray had side businesses, owning a janitorial service, with customers and business all over Southern California and a landscaping business.

Ray and Patty loved Yosemite, and the growing family spent long summer vacations of camping and hiking and enjoying the beautiful valley.

Ray and Patty loved the mountains, and the family spent weekends at their beloved Big Bear Cabin, water-skiing and snow skiing. Ray taught Kim and Steven to snow ski on pine needles in the summer, and taught his children to water ski while in their pool, pulling them from the deep-end to the shallow end until they stood-up on their skis!

The growing family moved to Fullerton, and, upon moving in, welcomed their 4thdaughter, Jaime Patrice.

Ray was a true and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints, and never faltered

in his love of service to The Lord and others.

Brother McDermott was a Sunday School teacher at The La Mirada 2 ward, and his students remember him for hiding all his students into the huge trunk of his Cadillac to do a donut run to Winchell’s(instead of class). Ray was a counsellor to Bishop Hale in the La Mirada 2 ward, the financial clerk in La Habra 2 ward, and a dedicated home teacher. At Christmas time Ray would make dozens of carrot-cakes, dress as Santa, and deliver the cakes to his home-teaching families, ward members and friends, loving and sharing the Christmas season and sharing his good will and love to everyone.

Ray loved Patricia, his family, friends and church deeply and was adored by everyone who knew him.

He was a faithful minister to the families he home-taught and they felt his love kindness.

He mentored and guided so many and his love and faithful service will live on in the lives of many others.

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