Raymond Arnold

As a child, Raymond was an active member of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, where he faithfully served on the Junior Usher Board. Raymond attended and graduated from William Marion Raines High School.

In 1980, Raymond left Jacksonville and relocated to Northern California for an employment opportunity. Raymond landed a job with General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company, in their graphics department for 26 years. He continued his work for General Dynamics in various capacities for an additional 13 years.

In 1983, Raymond met his wife, Candy, at Crocker Bank, where she was a teller and he was a customer. They married on February 4,1984. Raymond was a devoted husband and caring father to Alton Earl Major, and Nicholas Lee Arnold. Raymond was a family oriented and he enjoyed traveling with his wife and children.

Raymond was an avid bowler and for many years, he participated in two leagues, Thursday Mixers, and Shirts and Skirts, at 4th Street Bowl in San Jose. He received rings for a score of 280 as well as a perfect game of 300. His favorite bowling center was 4th Street Bowl. He bowled in many local, state, and national tournaments. The highlight of the bowling season for Raymond was the annual trip to the Hawaiian Tournament in Las Vegas.

Ray also spend most summer traveling as a chaperone for a group of Junior Bowlers from 4th Street Bowl and McKee Bowl in San Jose. The kids lovingly gave Raymond the nickname “Grumpy”, and that name stuck with him.

Since 2005, Raymond volunteered his time with the Charlie Wedemeyer High School All Star Football Classic. He was happy to take on any task, from selling programs, to taking tickets. He looked forward to participating in this annual event.

Raymond had an infectious smile and a kind and giving heart. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He developed a love for the neighborhood cats and they knew they could rely on him to feed them each day. He named his favorite cat “Fat Cat”.

Raymond passed away on August 21, 2020, at the age of 59. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Sr., his mother, Magdlene, his youngest son, Nicholas, his sister, Patricia Perdue, his brother, Anderson Perry, and his brother, Thomas Perry. Raymond leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Candy, his son, Alton; his brother, Julius (Alice) Perry; sister, Madeline Worth; sister, Jackie (Lance) Cottingham; sister-in-law, Dinah Perry; adopted son and nephew, Sheldon Perry; God Daughter, Trielle Flores; mother-in-law, Dorothy Major; sister-in-law, Kimberly Major (Tomo Ljubic); sister-in-law Alison (Vincent) Conard; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, family friends and others, who were touched by Raymond’s life.