Raymond Eugene Funderburk
February 28, 1935 - August 1, 2022
Ray Funderburk was an Airborne Ranger who lived for danger. He loved his country and apologized to no one on that front. He was a military soul from the top of his head gear to the soles of his boots.
Sadly, Ray passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022, after years of suffering the aftermath of war and the ultimate toll of exposure to Agent Orange as a Major in Vietnam. Surviving wounds that garnered him the Purple Heart with cluster, the Medal of Honor, and the Silver Star, he forged ahead to give his country twenty-four plus years of active duty service. He was highly decorated true, but as a result of his unrelenting dedication his body and mind had great challenges to overcome. Ultimately dementia and all that goes along with it was a battle he could not win.
He was preceded in death by his father, Keith O. Funderburk, Alexandria, LA; mother, Cora Frances (Fran) Beard, Tulsa, OK; and his only sibling, sister, June Funderburk Dennis, Corpus Christi, TX.
Surviving him are three daughters from his first marriage to Martha J. Oden (deceased): Cindy Lou (Michael) Lindsey, Wendy Lea Moore, and Betsy Jo Dvorak. Ray is also survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Nancy Smith Funderburk. With their union came a gift of her four sons to join his ranks: Barry N. (Yuliya) Smith, Tim E. (Tina) Smith, Reid E. (Sandra) Smith, and Earl W. (Beth) Smith-Funderburk. He was so happy to have a new command, affectionately known as his "Boys!"
Speaking of commands, not to be forgotten are the "boys" in his command in Vietnam: "All soldiers, tried and true!" Ray's unit was the Ninth Division PIO, (Public Information Office), Bearcats. They are the group that went into battle with cameras and pens to gather firsthand the news. Their efforts told the world what was actually happening with that disastrous event in the mid-nineteen sixties both in print and over the airwaves. The bond that binds this unit together is remarkable. Over the past fifty years there have been bi-annual reunions to reminisce and trade their amazing war stories.
There was life after the military, though; with business to do, fun to have, and years of moving around the country. Ray's exceptional expertise in public relations was later successfully utilized for years by the Military Order of the Purple Heart when he served as their National Director of Public Relations. While his health would allow such things, he was also active in the VVA Chapter 991 in Palestine, TX.
No challenge was too big for him, and Ray knew how celebrate life one day at a time! He was an author, an editor, an inventor, and a mentor. Most importantly, he was a wonderful father-figure and loving husband.
His "Poppie" pride was lavished with affection upon his twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
"Ray's joie de vie will be greatly missed!"
Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine, Texas has managed all arrangements for Ray's funeral. They will be transporting Ray's remains for burial to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Services with full honors will be held on October 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
Gravesite location provided by Find A Grave Member Jacob Friesenhahn on Feb 13 2023
Plot Section 78 Site 473
February 28, 1935 - August 1, 2022
Ray Funderburk was an Airborne Ranger who lived for danger. He loved his country and apologized to no one on that front. He was a military soul from the top of his head gear to the soles of his boots.
Sadly, Ray passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022, after years of suffering the aftermath of war and the ultimate toll of exposure to Agent Orange as a Major in Vietnam. Surviving wounds that garnered him the Purple Heart with cluster, the Medal of Honor, and the Silver Star, he forged ahead to give his country twenty-four plus years of active duty service. He was highly decorated true, but as a result of his unrelenting dedication his body and mind had great challenges to overcome. Ultimately dementia and all that goes along with it was a battle he could not win.
He was preceded in death by his father, Keith O. Funderburk, Alexandria, LA; mother, Cora Frances (Fran) Beard, Tulsa, OK; and his only sibling, sister, June Funderburk Dennis, Corpus Christi, TX.
Surviving him are three daughters from his first marriage to Martha J. Oden (deceased): Cindy Lou (Michael) Lindsey, Wendy Lea Moore, and Betsy Jo Dvorak. Ray is also survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Nancy Smith Funderburk. With their union came a gift of her four sons to join his ranks: Barry N. (Yuliya) Smith, Tim E. (Tina) Smith, Reid E. (Sandra) Smith, and Earl W. (Beth) Smith-Funderburk. He was so happy to have a new command, affectionately known as his "Boys!"
Speaking of commands, not to be forgotten are the "boys" in his command in Vietnam: "All soldiers, tried and true!" Ray's unit was the Ninth Division PIO, (Public Information Office), Bearcats. They are the group that went into battle with cameras and pens to gather firsthand the news. Their efforts told the world what was actually happening with that disastrous event in the mid-nineteen sixties both in print and over the airwaves. The bond that binds this unit together is remarkable. Over the past fifty years there have been bi-annual reunions to reminisce and trade their amazing war stories.
There was life after the military, though; with business to do, fun to have, and years of moving around the country. Ray's exceptional expertise in public relations was later successfully utilized for years by the Military Order of the Purple Heart when he served as their National Director of Public Relations. While his health would allow such things, he was also active in the VVA Chapter 991 in Palestine, TX.
No challenge was too big for him, and Ray knew how celebrate life one day at a time! He was an author, an editor, an inventor, and a mentor. Most importantly, he was a wonderful father-figure and loving husband.
His "Poppie" pride was lavished with affection upon his twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
"Ray's joie de vie will be greatly missed!"
Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine, Texas has managed all arrangements for Ray's funeral. They will be transporting Ray's remains for burial to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Services with full honors will be held on October 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
Gravesite location provided by Find A Grave Member Jacob Friesenhahn on Feb 13 2023
Plot Section 78 Site 473
Raymond Eugene Funderburk
February 28, 1935 - August 1, 2022
Ray Funderburk was an Airborne Ranger who lived for danger. He loved his country and apologized to no one on that front. He was a military soul from the top of his head gear to the soles of his boots.
Sadly, Ray passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022, after years of suffering the aftermath of war and the ultimate toll of exposure to Agent Orange as a Major in Vietnam. Surviving wounds that garnered him the Purple Heart with cluster, the Medal of Honor, and the Silver Star, he forged ahead to give his country twenty-four plus years of active duty service. He was highly decorated true, but as a result of his unrelenting dedication his body and mind had great challenges to overcome. Ultimately dementia and all that goes along with it was a battle he could not win.
He was preceded in death by his father, Keith O. Funderburk, Alexandria, LA; mother, Cora Frances (Fran) Beard, Tulsa, OK; and his only sibling, sister, June Funderburk Dennis, Corpus Christi, TX.
Surviving him are three daughters from his first marriage to Martha J. Oden (deceased): Cindy Lou (Michael) Lindsey, Wendy Lea Moore, and Betsy Jo Dvorak. Ray is also survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Nancy Smith Funderburk. With their union came a gift of her four sons to join his ranks: Barry N. (Yuliya) Smith, Tim E. (Tina) Smith, Reid E. (Sandra) Smith, and Earl W. (Beth) Smith-Funderburk. He was so happy to have a new command, affectionately known as his "Boys!"
Speaking of commands, not to be forgotten are the "boys" in his command in Vietnam: "All soldiers, tried and true!" Ray's unit was the Ninth Division PIO, (Public Information Office), Bearcats. They are the group that went into battle with cameras and pens to gather firsthand the news. Their efforts told the world what was actually happening with that disastrous event in the mid-nineteen sixties both in print and over the airwaves. The bond that binds this unit together is remarkable. Over the past fifty years there have been bi-annual reunions to reminisce and trade their amazing war stories.
There was life after the military, though; with business to do, fun to have, and years of moving around the country. Ray's exceptional expertise in public relations was later successfully utilized for years by the Military Order of the Purple Heart when he served as their National Director of Public Relations. While his health would allow such things, he was also active in the VVA Chapter 991 in Palestine, TX.
No challenge was too big for him, and Ray knew how celebrate life one day at a time! He was an author, an editor, an inventor, and a mentor. Most importantly, he was a wonderful father-figure and loving husband.
His "Poppie" pride was lavished with affection upon his twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
"Ray's joie de vie will be greatly missed!"
Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine, Texas has managed all arrangements for Ray's funeral. They will be transporting Ray's remains for burial to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Services with full honors will be held on October 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
Gravesite location provided by Find A Grave Member Jacob Friesenhahn on Feb 13 2023
Plot Section 78 Site 473
February 28, 1935 - August 1, 2022
Ray Funderburk was an Airborne Ranger who lived for danger. He loved his country and apologized to no one on that front. He was a military soul from the top of his head gear to the soles of his boots.
Sadly, Ray passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022, after years of suffering the aftermath of war and the ultimate toll of exposure to Agent Orange as a Major in Vietnam. Surviving wounds that garnered him the Purple Heart with cluster, the Medal of Honor, and the Silver Star, he forged ahead to give his country twenty-four plus years of active duty service. He was highly decorated true, but as a result of his unrelenting dedication his body and mind had great challenges to overcome. Ultimately dementia and all that goes along with it was a battle he could not win.
He was preceded in death by his father, Keith O. Funderburk, Alexandria, LA; mother, Cora Frances (Fran) Beard, Tulsa, OK; and his only sibling, sister, June Funderburk Dennis, Corpus Christi, TX.
Surviving him are three daughters from his first marriage to Martha J. Oden (deceased): Cindy Lou (Michael) Lindsey, Wendy Lea Moore, and Betsy Jo Dvorak. Ray is also survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Nancy Smith Funderburk. With their union came a gift of her four sons to join his ranks: Barry N. (Yuliya) Smith, Tim E. (Tina) Smith, Reid E. (Sandra) Smith, and Earl W. (Beth) Smith-Funderburk. He was so happy to have a new command, affectionately known as his "Boys!"
Speaking of commands, not to be forgotten are the "boys" in his command in Vietnam: "All soldiers, tried and true!" Ray's unit was the Ninth Division PIO, (Public Information Office), Bearcats. They are the group that went into battle with cameras and pens to gather firsthand the news. Their efforts told the world what was actually happening with that disastrous event in the mid-nineteen sixties both in print and over the airwaves. The bond that binds this unit together is remarkable. Over the past fifty years there have been bi-annual reunions to reminisce and trade their amazing war stories.
There was life after the military, though; with business to do, fun to have, and years of moving around the country. Ray's exceptional expertise in public relations was later successfully utilized for years by the Military Order of the Purple Heart when he served as their National Director of Public Relations. While his health would allow such things, he was also active in the VVA Chapter 991 in Palestine, TX.
No challenge was too big for him, and Ray knew how celebrate life one day at a time! He was an author, an editor, an inventor, and a mentor. Most importantly, he was a wonderful father-figure and loving husband.
His "Poppie" pride was lavished with affection upon his twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
"Ray's joie de vie will be greatly missed!"
Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine, Texas has managed all arrangements for Ray's funeral. They will be transporting Ray's remains for burial to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Services with full honors will be held on October 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
Gravesite location provided by Find A Grave Member Jacob Friesenhahn on Feb 13 2023
Plot Section 78 Site 473
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