Raymond
Raymond Emler Smith died quietly in his sleep in the early morning hours of March 26, 2008. He had fought a long battle against increasing illness and depression.
Raymond was born in Vienna, W. Va., on May 15, 1927, the son of Bradford Emler and Violet (Roberts) Emler. His father died before he was born, and his mother later married Charles Smith, who gave Raymond his name. The family lived in and around Parkersburg, W. Va.
After graduating from high school in Parkersburg, W. Va., Raymond worked as a blacksmith on the railroads before enlisting in the Navy in 1946. He became a training devices technician (TD), achieved the rank of chief petty officer, and retired from the Navy in 1967. After his Navy retirement, he worked as a Civil Service flight simulator technician in Oak Harbor until he had completed 30 years of government service. After his Civil Service retirement, he worked as a flight simulator technician for Grumman Corporation for several years.
In addition to his government service, Raymond had a lifelong interest in dog breeding. He was well known locally for his participation in METROS Pomeranians, which he owned with his wife, Marie. Before the couple had to quit breeding dogs in 1993 due to Marie’s failing health, their kennel produced several American and Canadian champions.
Raymond was preceded in death by Marie Teresa (Orvis) Smith, whom he married in San Diego, CA, on August 8, 1952. Marie passed away in 2001 after suffering from Alzheimer’s. He is survived by his stepdaughter Rebecca R. Phillips of Oak Harbor; stepson Stephen W. Phillips, and daughter-in-law Racine J. Phillips, also of Oak Harbor. Raymond had seven grandchildren: Elizabeth Marie Brown, married to George Brown, of Ingleside, Ill.; Brian Stephen Vander Woude, of Mobile Ala.; Scott Raymond Phillips, married to Sharla Phillips, of Reno, Nev.; Susan Rebecca Hart, married to Donald Hart, of Marysville; Christopher Stephen Phillips, partnered with Pam Karels, of Oak Harbor; Zachary Goetz of Bismarck, N.D.; and Abigail Goetz, of Bismarck N.D. Raymond also had 18 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 1 year to 22 years old, and two great-great-grandchildren, ages 2 and 5 years old.
Raymond had been a resident of Oak Harbor since August of 1965, and was a member of the Christian Reformed Church of Oak Harbor. He will be laid to rest in Fircrest Cemetery next to his wife, Marie, on Tuesday, April 1, in a private ceremony. A public memorial service will be held at the Christian Reformed Church, 1411 Wieldraayer Road, Oak Harbor, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 2. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. There will be no visitation or viewing. The family requests that any remembrances be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 1234, Anacortes, WA 98221 or the World Bible League, 15925 Van Drunen Rd., South Holland, IL 60473. Friends and family wishing to send online condolences may do so by visiting www.whid
beymemorial.com.
