Raymond Risk Sr.

1923 - 2008

Lifelong Sherman resident, and retired shoe merchant, Raymond Risk, Sr. died Saturday afternoon, June 21, 2008, at his home. He was 85 years old.
Raymond was born in Sherman on April 28, 1923, to Julia David and John Naif Risk. He attended Sherman public schools and graduated from Sherman High School in 1941. He attended Austin College before leaving for World War II where he served as a decorated soldier in the 94th Medical Gas Treatment Battalion of General Patton's Third U.S. Army, achieving the rank of sergeant.
Raymond operated Risk Shoe Store and Shoe Repair Shop from 1945 until his retirement in 2002. As a first generation descendant of a Lebanese immigrant, the business continued to grow to become a legendary, regionally known shoe repair shop. The business remained in the family upon his retirement as his son Naif continues building on the heritage of his father and grandfather.
He was a proud 61-year member of the Sherman Noon Lions Club where he was a life member. He served as president in 1964, held several offices in Lions District 2-E-2, and became a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1992. He was a life member of the Julien C. Hyer Lions Youth Camp and the Texas Lions Camp. He was also a member of the American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Odd Fellows, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a lifelong member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sherman.
Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and daughter, Sarah. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia, brother Edward, and brother-in-law Harvey. He is survived by his son Naif and wife, Cindy, of Sherman, and their niece Lauren Stephens, and his son Raymond and wife, Nancy, and grandson Noah of Austin. He is also survived by his sister Jeanette Snyder of Sherman, brother William Risk and wife Margaret Ann of Ft. Worth, in-laws Norma Oren and husband Bob, Ernest Horany and wife Eileen, and Julia Waldrop and husband Kenneth. In addition, he is survived by his very dear friend and companion Mary Moses.
Raymond and his family were assisted in Raymond's last months by many family and friends including Lisa Gosnell, Mildred Holcomb, and Ramona Zamora and in the last week by the staff of Grayson County Hospice.
Visitation with family will be from 7 -8 p.m. on Wednesday at Dannel Funeral Home, 302 S. Walnut, Sherman. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 401 S. Crockett, Sherman. Officiating will be the Rev. Martin Yost and Rev. David Petrash.
Pallbearers will be Ernest Edward Horany II, Melvin K. Horany, Bobby Oren, Tommy Oren, William Michael Risk, and Kenneth Roy Waldrop II.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Casmedes Jr., Dr. Mack Castleberry, Richard Curran, Dr. Emmitt Essin, Samuel Johnson, Dr. Saleem Kahn, Bud Wilson and all the members of the Sherman Noon Lions Club.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to a memorial fund being established in his honor at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 401 S. Crockett, Sherman, TX 75090 or the Sherman Noon Lions Club, P.O. Box 864, Sherman, TX 75091.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com.