Final Salute

Raymond passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10th surrounded by family. He was 74 years old.

Born on January 11th, 1949, to Raymond Joseph Mertes and Evelyn (nee Pranky) at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Raymond grew up in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago before moving to Medinah, Illinois at the age of 5. Younger brother to half-sister Marilyn, and older brother to Douglas, Raymond often spoke of the memories of his youth.

He recalled the aftermath of a house fire at the old Chicago home where he grew up. He would say he could smell the burnt wood even to this day. He would recall older wooden toys and metal push cars. He saved a set of reindeer ornaments that were used well into his life and passed down to his children, a catalyst to a massive collection of reindeer Christmas decorations. Visitors would often be asked to count how many they could find around the house, one of the many games he loved to be part of.

When playing in a wooden fort as a young boy, Raymond sustained an injury to his face that contributed to his self proclaimed “crooked smile” – adding to the eventual charm and charisma he would carry with him his entire lifetime. As a youth, Raymond’s interest in automobiles flourished. He was an encyclopedia of the cars of his time, capable of accurately telling you the make, model, and year of a car, based on small details. Those who knew him well could send him a picture of a car driving down the road and expect a reply soon after with the details. He loved to tell stories about cars. Did you know he was stopped by a police officer for driving down the road in a car that had no doors? With a smile, he would regale how he outsmarted the cop, who insisted he could not drive the car in this condition. “What about Jeeps, or the mailman?”, he quizzed the officer. He was given a warning, and went on his way. He and his friends would race cars down Lake St, when it was all farms and nothing else. Officers would come check out the action, making sure they were being safe, and even give the guys a run down the road. It was a simpler time.

At 15, Raymond lost his father suddenly, to a heart attack. This would have a drastic impact on him. He left school at Lake Park High School, briefly, before re-enrolling. Raymond would leave High School again at the age of 18 and enlist in the Navy, rather than being drafted into service for the Vietnam War, he chose to make his own way. The Navy allowed him to be close to home, starting service at Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, before heading to Gulfport, Mississippi, and then Chu Lai, Vietnam in June, 1968, and on to Quang Tri, as part of the Navy SeaBees’ MCB-74. After completing his first tour, he returned to the States and went to Rhode Island for additional training, and then back to Gulfport in time for Hurricane Camille, on August 17, 1969. He assisted with cleanup and recovery in Gulfport, before once again being shipped out to Vietnam, this time spending a majority of his time in Da Nang, and assisting in the construction of Cau Do bridge, which still stands today, more than 50 years later.

Raymond’s service to the Navy ended in July of 1971. He came home from his life interrupted, and started to build what would become his future. He built a race car (1968 Camarro SS drag racer), and built a family with Barbara Ann Ruck after meeting her at Motorola in July of 1972. This romance would lead to their wedding on July 21st, 1973. The happily married couple wouldgo on to welcome Angela Lauren, Patrick Raymond, and Jessica Lee, and resided in Bartlett, Illinois from 1978 to 1996.

Raymond started a career in the transport industry as a truck driver for Big Bear Cartage. One of his deliveries was to the Chicago Bears training facility to drop off game film. A lifelong Bears fan, Raymond would get thumbs up driving in, with the company’s Bear logo on the side of the truck. Raymond went on to work for Roadway Express, handling deliveries out of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and becoming a Million Mile safe driver for the company. His time living in Bartlett was spent raising 3 kids and many dogs. The house grew as the family grew. He built the detached garage, finished the basement, and had a chimney installed. He coached baseball, and threw legendary Super Bowl parties. He cheered (and groaned) for the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls. The kids became adults, the driveway became a parking lot, and in December of 1996, they said goodbye to Bartlett, and moved to Magnolia, Texas, where he would spend the remaining 28 years of his life.

In Texas, Raymond would slowly ease into retirement. He would go on to welcome 10 grandchildren into the world. Morgan, Stephanie, Grace, Earen, Chloe, Lily, Jordan, Zoe, JJ, and Illyana – PawPaw cherished each and everyone one of these wonderful children. As the family grew and moved on, Raymond and Barbara busied themselves with road trips and family gatherings. He loved to cook for people, and passed this love to anyone who would stand in his kitchen and help him prepare a meal. He loved a game of Uno – always with his house rules. He was so proud when one of the young ones would bomb him with a Draw Four for the win. His love for movies, music, food, and fun, permeated all of his relationships. Raymond loved to laugh and make others laugh. He loved surprises and giving gifts – whether it be time, food, presents, or service. Raymond felt a strong responsibility to those he loved – he was a loyal and fierce friend to so many.

On December 10th, 2023, we said goodbye to Ray, to Dad, to PawPaw. His duties in the world, fulfilled. His mission: accomplished. His responsibilities: absolutely completed. Survived by his wife, Barbara, of over 50 years, his three children, two children in-law, 10 grandchildren, and future great grandchildren on the horizon.

The impact Raymond has had in his lifetime is immeasurable. He loved people so strongly, so ardently, so sufficiently, that there is no vacant space left in his leaving. He gave us all he had in this life, and a little pinch more, for flavor.

The family will receive guests at the family home on January 6, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that those so inclined, should make a contribution to a charity of their choice. If a suggestion is needed, the family suggests that participants pay off school lunch debts in their area.

The obituary for Raymond G. Mertes, written by his son, Patrick Mertes.