Raymond Richard Veckruise

1918 - 2020

BORN

1918

DIED

2020

Raymond Veckruise Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Raymond Richard Veckruise
Start: 2020-12-12T16:00:00.000Z
Location: www.cccmontreat.org

VECKRUISE
Raymond Richard, Sr. born in Gary, IN, January 1918, during the Spanish Flu Pandemic, to Walter and Florence Veckruise. Ray was an accomplished pianist and composer, publishing several religious anthems. He played in the original Mickey Mouse Orchestra at age 14. Ray served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. He earned his degree in Choral Conducting at Oklahoma Baptist University, then returned to Jacksonville, where he taught Chorus at Terry Parker and Englewood High Schools. He wrote the alma mater for Terry Parker, which has been the school song up to this date. He played a huge part in his students' lives and kept contact with many of them over the years. He produced many talent shows and musical programs. Ray was a member of several musical combo bands, playing many Jax locations, including the University Club, Charcoal Steak House, and the former Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine.
Ray's first wife, Claire Folsom, passed away in 1983. Ray moved to Ft. Mill, SC, where he was head of the music department at PTL. While there, he met Jean Saunders, who he married in 1987. Together, they founded Christian Family Services, placing over 200 babies in adoptive homes.
Ray and Jean traveled the world extensively before ending up at Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain, NC, where they enjoyed their retirement and beautiful mountains. Ray continued to produce music programs for the residents there. Ray obtained his private pilot's license at the age of 71.
Preceded in death by his wife, Claire, son Gregory Cleve and grandson Brandon Kline. Survived by his loving wife, Jean, son Raymond Richard, Jr., (Charlotte), daughter Ronni Echevarria (San Diego, CA), and granddaughter Trilce Veckruise (Charlotte, NC)
Ray will be remembered with love by all who knew him. Surely, he is tinkling the ivories in Heaven in the presence of God.
Live Stream of Ray's Celebration of Life will be on 12/12 at 11 a.m. EST at www.cccmontreat.org.
In lieu of flowers, may we suggest a donation to Christ Community Church, www.cccmontreat.org or David Jeremiah Ministries, davidjeremiah.org.
Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Florida Times-Union from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Veckruise

Sponsored by Jacksonville.com.

12 Entries

Engelwood High School 1967-68

October 28, 2024

I just found out Mr V had passed he was my chorus music instructor at Engelwood High1968 I respected him greatly Sorry for your loss. Diane Lofberg Fox

Wynette Veckruise Donahay

October 11, 2021

I would like to offer my love as well as my sincere and heartfelt condolences to all the family. Uncle Ray was my dad's brother and even though I haven't kept in touch with the family over the years, you were always on my mind. I was unaware that he had passed away until today. May you have peace in knowing that Uncle Ray led a very full, happy, and spiritual life. May he rest in peace.

LaWanda Rampino Hill

January 1, 2021

Mr. V was the person who taught me to sing alto back in the 60s at TPHS. I was one of those students he kept in touch with all those years. It was truly a blessing to have him in my life and lately he's really been on my mind. Now I know why. He's in the presence of Jesus and I must be suffering from the emptiness of his leaving. We're on our way, Mr. V. But I wanted to thank you for making the "song bird" I am today. I had no idea an alto would be in so much demand. Thank you got all the cards and letters and CDs that you sent thru the years. I should have known you weren't there when nothing came my way during the holidays. You've been a light in the darkness of many lives and more people than you know really love you. I'm at the top of that list and can't wait to see you SOON. Please tell Jesus to come get us. 2020 was terrible for us all.

richard logsdon

December 12, 2020

Known affectionately, as Mr. V, to Terry Parker High School students where he taught music in Jacksonville, FL, where he still is also remembered and dearly loved. He wrote our High School Song and inspired all who knew him. My wife and I visited him in their retirement home in NC. around Christmas of 2014. There I recorded a message to our Class of 65 that he did for me, as he played the piano. I will include it in the video file here. I can say Amen to all the tributes made so far and the recounting of his amazing life. One thing I did not see was the many mission trips he is his wife made. He showed me a map on the will in his study, that had a pin for all the places they went. I was amazed at how many places they went for short term mission work

Harry Utzig

December 11, 2020

I was privileged to have know Ray since the early 1960's.

Ray was the first cousin to my Mother, second cousin to myself.
I always enjoyed the inspirational conversations that Ray and I had.
The last communication was about 3 weeks before his passing. I do miss
our frequent chats.

One of my happy memories of Ray, I recall, took place while he was visiting my
family in Canada in the late 80's. We travelled to Banff, Alberta, and visited the
famous Banff Springs Hotel. Exploring the Hotel, we came upon the huge Ballroom.
Ray noticed a Grand Piano, he could not resist and sat down and played dance music.
My wife so enjoyed dancing, she took me by the arm and we danced in the beautiful
ballroom to Ray's wonderful music all by ourselves. My wife was absolutely elated. Ray,
noticed how happy she was, so kept on playing and we kept on dancing.

Ray had a very fulfilling life and brought JOY to many people, He will be greatly missed by
his family and friends.

Robbie and Martha Trice

December 10, 2020

Mr. Vee's influence and encouragement in our lives as teenagers (1970) caused us to really believe that we were musicians. And that meant everything to us because he was a master musician. As early as several months ago, at 102 he called us to let us know how proud he was of us and how much he loved us. He loved all of his students that way. We will greatly miss his smiling face, his soft-spoken voice, his amazing piano playing and his infectious optimism and love of life. We love you, Mr. Vee.

Ronni V. Echevarria

December 10, 2020

Pure and simple.....I miss you, Dad.....

Kathy (née McDonald) Pillmore

November 26, 2020

Mr. V was a huge inspiration to me. I sang for him at Terry Parker High School where he made an indelible mark on my life. He instilled in me an appreciation of music that has carried me to this day. I had the joy of having dinner with him and his lovely wife on 2009 when my husband and I visited North Carolina. I received his Christmas messages for years and followed his incredible life as much as I could from Texas. He is no doubt playing piano for the heavenly choir. I’m content knowing he’s where he’s longed to be...at home with his God.

Charlene Clark

November 26, 2020

Ray was in his mid-80’s when Bob and I were privileged to be guests in their Laurel Ridge home in Black Mountain, NC. We piled into his Jeep while Ray gave us a beautiful tour of their mountain vistas. We became great friends with Ray and Jean over the next decade, sharing many hours of fellowship and food and stories and laughter.
Music was more than an occupation for him. The melody of his life was his love for God and his compassion for people. He began every phone conversation with the warm greeting: “This is Ray Veckruise. Jesus loves you and so do I.”
Never passive with his gifts, Ray poured his energy into bringing those melodies into the hearts of his neighbors and friends in Black Mountain. Ray and Jean also extended their loving efforts across the region: they had a profound impact on so many families through their adoption ministry.
A brilliant artist and a charming communicator, a godly servant-leader and a dear friend, Ray was one of the most gifted people I’ve ever known. I can imagine that my husband Bob is thoroughly enjoying showing Ray the beautiful vistas of their new home in heaven. The angel choirs are in for a real treat!

Jenny (Scarboro) Willis

November 22, 2020

I never met Ray, but he was a dear friend to my grandmother Grace Hawkins and my mother Theresa Hawkins Scarboro, who were his family friends in Jacksonville. They are all singing together with the Heavenly angels now. God bless!

Jerry Sinclair

November 20, 2020

Mr. Vee was my chorus teacher and mentor @ Englewood HS 68-70. He was such a hero to me long after I departed for Bible College and returned with my future wife that I met 50 years ago. Often, I would see former classmates and colleagues of Mr. Vee. He was such a powerful influence with the kindness of an angel. God withheld Mr. Vee's home going for 100+ years so we would enjoy his presence right up until his last breath.

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