Donald Edward Raymond

It’s going to take a long time to say goodbye to you. You have been a hero, a father figure, a mentor, moral compass, and a best friend. The void you’ve cast into our lives makes my heart ache. You have always looked after the best interest and security of our family. I know you nieces and I have been blessed for every moment you shared with us. You and Aunt Lyn are the Parents we all love, respect and admire to have. From toddlers to adulthood-with all the turmoil, heartbreak and depression we’ve endured over the years, you showed all how to persevere with good humor and a twinkly eyed smile. You (and your loving amazing wife) are a beacon of warmth and understanding and shall always be our Guardian Angels!

Below is a brief summary of Don’s life:

Donald E. Raymond was born in Toledo, Ohio on September 28, 1923. He attended St. Michael’s Parochial School and Woodward High School. On February 1, 1943 he was inducted into the US Army at 19 years of age. He was assigned to the 512th Field Artillery Battalion (activated June 25, 1943 Camp Rucker, Alabama). Most of the men were from New York, the majority of whom were in their mid-thirties. Don served as technician 5th grade, dispatcher, driver, and carbine expert. The 512th had been engaged in the crossing of the Moselle, the Battle of Nancy, the Battle of the Saar, the Ardennes Forrest Engagement (The Bulge),the Crossing of the Our, the Seille, and the Rhine. They also were instrumental in the slow push escorting General Patton’s tanks through to Frankfort/Main, and finally the mad dash across Germany. The Battalion was awarded four campaign stars for Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes, and central Europe. Don was honorably discharged January 1, 1946.

Returning to Toledo, he opened a neighborhood grocery and in 1948 he married Lyn, his beautiful wife of 68 years. Back during those times food and goods could be acquired on credit, you just ran a tab. At Christmas, Don and Lyn would load up baskets with items from their store and take them to the needy families in the area. Needless to say they had to close the store in 1949. Later, Don and his brother Guy (who was stationed at Davis/Munthan Air Force Base during the war) joined their father at the Toledo Terminal Railroad. Guy later was killed in a terrible derailment accident and their father had a stroke the day he retired. Don left after 11 hard years. In 1961, Don and Lyn moved to Phoenix, Arizona and opened a small dress shop near 32nd St and Bell Rd. Always one to help out, he found himself running the register at the liquor store next door quite often. Soon after, he closed the shop and went to work for Circle K as a clerk. After 22 years of working his way up the company ladder, Don retired as a division manager in 1983. Upon Lyn’s retirement they divided the time at their Munds Park property and their Phoenix home, while anxiously awaiting the opening of every Native American Casino across the Valley! Even becoming an acquaintance of Gov. Rose Mofford, as he and Lyn would play into the wee hours. Don also was a host on the buses between Phoenix and Laughlin for a few years. In Don’s late 80’s, he and Lyn decided to try the Senior Center in North Phoenix. They immediately fell in love with the people, games, exercises, and stimulation. Later, when Don got feeble, he really missed being able to visit their neighborhood friends and activities.

Don quietly passed at 8:00 pm October 26, 2016…

Then immediately volunteered for the shuttle duty to the Grand Casino in the sky.