Raymond was born in Farwell, Texas. He was the last of 10 children born to Nathan Jesse and Ollie Neona Brand. He hitch-hiked to California when he was 16 years old, never finishing High School. In 1946, he enlisted in the Army. He completed his high school education through Yale University thanks to the Army and went on to serve with the 1st Ranger Battalion/Special Forces, during the Korean War, which earned him the Silver Star, along with other medals. He also won the "Golden Gloves" championship in Panama City, Panama. He was then deployed to Germany until the end of the war in 1955. He married his childhood sweetheart in 1949. He and his wife Kathleen had 6 children. In the mid 1970's Raymond developed lung cancer. He fought a brave soldier's fight for 2 years after having his lung removed. We think of you often dad, and wish you were still with us, but we know you are now in a better place and suffer no more. You and mom are now together at last!
Dad loved playing his guitar and singing to mom. Fondest memories are of all of us gathering in the living room listening to dad play.
Dad loved to tell stories of his Army days, and when he was a kid. What we would give for just one more. "You will always be a hero in our hearts".
Dad loved playing his guitar and singing to mom. Fondest memories are of all of us gathering in the living room listening to dad play.
Dad loved to tell stories of his Army days, and when he was a kid. What we would give for just one more. "You will always be a hero in our hearts".
Raymond was born in Farwell, Texas. He was the last of 10 children born to Nathan Jesse and Ollie Neona Brand. He hitch-hiked to California when he was 16 years old, never finishing High School. In 1946, he enlisted in the Army. He completed his high school education through Yale University thanks to the Army and went on to serve with the 1st Ranger Battalion/Special Forces, during the Korean War, which earned him the Silver Star, along with other medals. He also won the "Golden Gloves" championship in Panama City, Panama. He was then deployed to Germany until the end of the war in 1955. He married his childhood sweetheart in 1949. He and his wife Kathleen had 6 children. In the mid 1970's Raymond developed lung cancer. He fought a brave soldier's fight for 2 years after having his lung removed. We think of you often dad, and wish you were still with us, but we know you are now in a better place and suffer no more. You and mom are now together at last!
Dad loved playing his guitar and singing to mom. Fondest memories are of all of us gathering in the living room listening to dad play.
Dad loved to tell stories of his Army days, and when he was a kid. What we would give for just one more. "You will always be a hero in our hearts".
Dad loved playing his guitar and singing to mom. Fondest memories are of all of us gathering in the living room listening to dad play.
Dad loved to tell stories of his Army days, and when he was a kid. What we would give for just one more. "You will always be a hero in our hearts".
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