Raymond grew up in Jacksonville, FL. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, FL in 1951. After high school he attended university at Emery in Druid Hills, Georgia and Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. He subsequently completed his D.D.S. at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a specialization in periodontics. He had many occupations, including
radio disk jockey, private jet pilot, and the owner of an orange grove and pecan grove in Florida, with his penultimate occupation being a residency at the Florida Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and a private dental practice in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Raymond had a long and illustrious career in the United States military. He joined the Army in 1953 and following an honorable discharge, proceeded to serve as a member of the Army Reserve. During his military career he was a commander in the 3342 Dental Service Detachment and was promoted to Command Dental Surgeon for the 818th Hospital Center in Atlanta Georgia. He retired as a full Colonel in 1993, and as appreciation for his years of service, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
Raymond was a member of many organizations which included being a city health inspector in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, a city council member in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and a member of the Board of Directors of the Spruce Creek POA in Daytona Beach, FL. He received awards for his dedicated service from both the County Commissioner of Ft. Lauderdale and the community of Spruce Creek. He enjoyed a diverse set of hobbies which included SCCA and processional race car driving, private aviation performing formation flying and aerobatics, and a lifetime of world travel.
Raymond is survived by his daughter, Ausley Hyatt-Hale Gage of Gainesville FL and his son, Raymond Whitney-Bishop Gage of Ft. Lauderdale FL. Raymond was preceded in death by his son, Raymond William Gage III.
A funeral service will be held at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 S.W. 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL, at 11:30am on August 10. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 11 from 3-6pm.
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