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Raymond Floyd Backus
Raymond Floyd Backus
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Raymond Backus Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Al Kaiser
December 25, 2008
Ray,
It is with sadness that I say goodbye and wish you a safe journey. Thank you for your friendship and support of the Castle Craig Chapter of 10-10.
You now join our other missed friends in the great pile up in the skies. May the bands never close and the sunspots never fade.
-73- and fond fairwell
Al N1API - 25468
Marvin Fortune
December 16, 2008
Just checking in to say my final 73 to my ham radio buddy of many years, Ray KJ4SJ. I first met Ray when I worked his daddy Floyd Backus, WA4PRP on 10 meters AM back in the sixty's. I became close friends with the family, and we had many fun visits on the air, and at their home. After Ray got his ham radio license, we chatted some across town on 40 CW, he was much more proficient on CW than I was. He preferred the code key, and I was more confortable with the microphone. I was Ray's first SSB contact, and that was from HP1 in Chame, Panama. After that Ray kind of took to the old mike, and was a very good voice operator also..In fact he became a big 10 meter Number, and Certificate chaser. Ray was also a talented musician, and played in a popular local Dance Band with his dad, and a couple of other local musicians. Ray worked in a Electric Motor Repair Shop for many years, he had many talents and friends. I shall miss chatting with him on the Radio, Telephone and Computer. Raymond F. Backus has crossed that eternal divide, that we ALL have to cross when our life is finished here on this earth. GOD rest his SOUL, and may we meet again in the biggest Ham Radio Mansion in HEAVEN for all of eternity, where the propagation will always be perfect, and there will be no LIDS.....
73.........de Marvin WA4TOJ
Tony Day
December 8, 2008
My relationship with Ray was more like that of a cousin than a friend which stretched over a period of more than 21 years. Ray was the nephew of my God Mother Elizabeth Meads. In Amateur Radio Ray was an avid and proficient Morse Code (CW) operator. Ray enthusiastically encouraged and practiced with me to help pass all three of the required Morse Code (CW) test while taking my FCC Amateur Radio License tests. Ray’s aunt Liz and mother Goldie would call his chatting to other Amateur Radio Operators over the air with Morse Code “Finger Talk”. Ray and I would spend many nights “finger talking” over the airwaves across town from his house to mine. Ray’s uncomplicated and moral outlook on life was refreshing and made our two decade friendship a pleasant and enjoyable one. Ray will be remembered by many when our thoughts go back to simpler and enjoyable times when Raymond Floyd Backus made a warm and pleasurable difference in our lives.
Sincerely, Tony Day KC4AUF
Virginia Smither
December 7, 2008
Rest in peace Raymond. You are now in Heaven with your Mother and Dad.
Ginger Philbates Smither
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Dana Pelno
December 7, 2008
You have been our dear neighbor for over 40 years. We have laughed and cried together. We have celebrated many things, birthdays, Christmas and even deaths together.
We can celebrate deaths because we know where they went and I pray you gave Mama a big hug when you got to Heaven Friday morning. I also know what a great friend you were and Daddy and I will surely miss you and your music, you know how very much he loved to play harmonica while you played your guitar.
Another prodigy has entered Heaven's band and I just can't wait to get there myself an sing along with you all. Enjoy it my dear friend you sure earned it. You will be so missed and we have all been the better for having known you and your family.
We will see you soon my brother as our Lord's return is so near I've stopped looking for signs and started listening for sounds. With all our love, Isaiah 41:10, Don and Dana
Barry Isbelle
December 7, 2008
Ray , We will miss you on ten meters.
Glad we had time to together.
Tell Floyd and Goldie we miss them also.
73's Barry N2Db aka KC4IDE.
James Culley Jr
December 7, 2008
So long my friend. In the past seventeen years, you have been a good friend and you will be missed very much. May you rest in peace.
Jim Culley KC4YVD (Hanover County, VA)
Jim ( KC4RHW) Whittlesey
December 7, 2008
Ray my Dear Friend this has sadden me very much so go witn God My Dear Friend and I leave you with these words from my Great Grand Father
Grieve not for me for I have gone to a better place , Rejoice in my life here and shed no more tears for I shall remain in your heart for ever and ever, Grieving will not bring me back, But Rejoice and I will live Forever and Forever in your heart and mind. Be happy and rejoice for me as I have gone to join the Great Spirit in the Great Hunting grounds
Dow Pierce
December 7, 2008
73's My Friend, You will missed on the Amateur Radio Bands many of us.
Dow - WA4HMX
Luke Bannister
December 7, 2008
God Bless you Ray, and may you find everlasting peace. Your kindness touched many of us, and you will be remembered fondly by the amateur radio community.
Best 73, my friend.
AD4MG
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