George Leslie Raymond

George Leslie Raymond, 81, of Raleigh, passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2025.
Born July 1, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he was the son of the late Charles and Marie (Yater) Raymond. On November 5, 1966, he married the love of his life, the former Brenda Sue Helmling, in Vincennes, Indiana. George and Brenda spent 58 happy years together, raising their family in Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana, with a short stint in Golden, Colorado, before moving to North Carolina in 2014 after George retired from the position he had held since 1999 as the Vice President, Human Resources and Labor Relations at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. George was proud to have been the first member of the Indianapolis Police Department with a bachelor's degree, joining the force in 1966. Over the course of his career, he held many executive-level positions at AMAX Coal Company, Cyprus-AMAX, and Ayrshire Land Company.
George was an avid reader who had a lifelong appreciation for the value of a good education. He was a 1961 graduate of Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis and a 1966 graduate of Purdue University, where he majored in psychology. He went on to get his J.D. from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis and his M.B.A. from Indiana University, but he remained forever a faithful Boilermaker.
Known for his quick wit and his big heart, George approached everything with integrity and a listening ear. Anyone could talk to George about anything, although he would expect you to be able to support your statements with reason and evidence, and his lawyer-trained mind always zeroed in on any lapse of precision or purpose. George was also a fierce but friendly competitor, particularly in golf and any manner of card game. Just a few weeks before his death, he was still giving out advice for both. He had a thirst for knowledge and spent his spare time reading and researching topics of interest to talk about with his Pro/Con Club or with his daughters and grandchildren. His legacy reminds us of the importance of education, hard work, and perseverance, always coupled with generosity towards family, friends, and community.
Those who knew George will remember the twinkle in his eye and the affection and pride in his voice when he spoke of his family. In addition to his beloved wife, Brenda, he is survived by his three daughters, Kimberley Drexler and her husband Michael of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; Kathryn Raymond of Raleigh; and Kristin Walker and her husband, Jeff, also of Raleigh, along with 6 grandchildren whom George adored: Hannah, Mariah and Caleb Drexler, Lily Raymond, and Jake and Liz Walker. George is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Raymond and his nephew, Karl David Raymond, Jr., both of whom were very dear to him. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his younger brother, Master Chief Petty Officer Karl David Raymond who retired after 26 years of honorable service in the U.S. Navy.
George's family will hold a celebration of his life at the Springmoor Auditorium in Raleigh, North Carolina, Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 3:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations in his memory be made to the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cremation Society of the Carolinas.