Raymond Thomas

Warren, Ohio - Raymond Thomas, 89, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Hospital, Sunday, June 10, 2018. He was born on January 10, 1929 in Ecorse, Michigan, the son of the late Joseph and Ann Derrick Thomas.

Raymond served proudly in the US Army and received the Bronze Star and was wounded in action while serving in the Korean War. Raymond was honorably discharged in 1952 as an E7 Sargent of the 101st Airborne. Raymond and Shirley  were married January 29, 1955 and had celebrated 57 years of marriage before her passing.  He and his late wife, Shirley spent many hours monitoring the Bald Eagles at Mosquito Lake for the State of Ohio. Ray enjoyed holidays with the family, Elvis Presley’s music, YMCA, dancing, golfing with his nephew Jack, and his telephone calls from “Davey”.

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife Shirley on October 1, 2013. Memories of Raymond will be carried on by his family. Those surviving family members are; nephews, William (Sue) Zurcher of Portage, IN, David Zurcher of Waukesha, WI, Jack (Veronica) Zurcher of Warren ,whom he made his home with; nieces, Susan (David) Carlson of Eau Claire, WI, Linda Zurcher, of Warren, plus several great and great-great-nephews and nieces.

To all family and friends, we would like to thank you for loving “Uncle Ray” and a special thank you to his buddy Nelsen Thomas for his caring devotion to Ray.

According to Raymond’s wishes, there will be no calling hours.  "Uncle Ray is now flying on eagle's wings"

A memorial service and private interment  with military honors will be held at a later date in New Philadelphia where Raymond and Shirley will be laid to rest, “together for all eternity”.

Raymond's arrangements and cremation have been entrusted to McFarland-Barbee Family Funeral Home, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481, 330-393-9621. Please visit www.McFarlandBarbeeCares.com to view this obituary, and send condolences.