Raymond Haley Smoyer, age 85, Duluth, Minnesota.
On Friday December 24th, our precious Lord Jesus reached out His hand to Ray and took him to His heavenly home.
Ray was born on May 3, 1925, the fourth child of Howard and Elizabeth Smoyer, in Bristol PA. Ray is now joining his sisters Mildred, Elizabeth, and brother Howard, along with his parents, friends and family who have earlier made their journey to their heavenly home.
Active in sports, Ray played varsity football at Bristol High School. Immediately upon graduation from high school, at the age of seventeen, he "fudged" his age and enlisted for military service in World War II, and served in the Merchant Marines in the Pacific Theater, delivering ammunition, arms, and fuel to remote island bases. Ray survived his ship being sunk and was rescued after 39 hours afloat on planks in the sea. Later service area was in Shanghai China.
Following his military service, Ray enrolled in the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he then graduated with his degree in engineering. While attending college, Ray worked as a church custodian, and taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church Milwaukee. At this church Ray met the love of his life, Helen Henriksen and their dreams came true.
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Ray and Helen married on July 14, 1951. Their first and main priority in their life, outside of church and their mutual love, was to have and raise a family. Ray was a loving and devoted husband and father to one daughter, Lori,and four sons, Ray, Jr. (Jill Hunter), Howard, Randy (Kristen Schroeder) and Bob (Vicki Solon), and blessed by enjoying two generations with grandchildren Kristen, Jerry, Kristin, Shelley, Mathew, Eryn, Robby, Matty, and Katrina. Great grandchildren are Jaxon and Helena.
Ray's career was in management and plant engineering which included long term senior positions at United States Steel in Levittown PA, Northern Malleable Iron in St. Paul MN, and his favorite, Eveleth Taconite Mines in Eveleth MN.
Ray dedicated himself to his family and children and decided to volunteer working in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, as Cub Master and ultimately as District Commissioner on Bucks County PA. Volunteer work also included Church Treasurer, volunteer Fire Department (while in High School) and later in Central Lakes MN. Ray was also a long serving and distinguished instructor for AARP Senior Safe Driving classes.
Hobbies included wood working, home remodeling and construction, stained glass, watercolor and oil painting, computers, music, and his favorite - Amateur Radio, where he was active until recently as Vice President of the Duluth area club.
Raymond, husband, dad, papa, poppop, gandpa, great grandpa, friend, brother, associate... a wonderful loving man called all of these names, he is now resting peacefully with our Lord. Raymond Haley Smoyer touched our lives, and we will never be the same.
Memorial service: Wednesday 2:00 PM at Mount of Olives Baptist Church 1500 Swan Lake Road Duluth
In lieu of flowers; memorials to Mount Of Olives Baptist Church in care of the family are preferred.
Arrangements by Williams - Lobermeier Funeral home,
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