Raymond Perry Stewart Jr.

CAMDEN - Raymond Perry Stewart Jr., died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Christiana Care Hospital. He was 69. Son of Raymond P. Stewart Sr. and Mildred S. Warren, Raymond was born on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, 1941, in Easton, Md. He graduated from St. Michaels High School in June, 1959. He was employed by the State of Delaware as a Fiscal Administrative Officer in the Pension Office as manager of pension payroll for 27 years until retirement in 2002 and continued working in that department on a part time basis until 2010. Prior to that, he was employed by the Farmers Bank of Delaware as an auditor and in various positions for 13 years. He worked for the Delaware Trust Company for a short while and served in the US Navy as Second Class Personnel man during the Cuban Crisis. During his high school years he worked as a clerk in the Acme store in Easton, Md. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and step-parents; his wife of 43 years, Olive Marie Millman Stewart; and daughter, Elizabeth Marie Stewart in 1983; and a very close friend, Pearl Torbert. He was a member of the Odd Fellows of Felton Lodge #30. He served as State Treasurer of the Grand Lodge for 8 years and served in many positions during his membership. He attended the Royal Oak Church of Royal Oak, Md., and Woodside Methodist church of Woodside, Del. He became a member of the Felton Methodist Church of Felton, Del., and recently attended Whatcoat United Methodist Church, of Camden, Del. During the years, he sang in the choir and served in various offices of the church such as treasurer and trustee. He enjoyed bowling and was on the Senior Bowling League at Brunswick Lanes, Rodney Village. He also enjoyed volleyball, playing computer games, putting together puzzles and miniature models, and doing string art. In addition, he did genealogy through the years as a hobby. Since 2000 he has been struggling with various health problems including, Good Pasture Syndrome that caused kidney failure. He had two failed kidney transplants, 2002, and 2005 and in 2007 dealt with heart surgery replacing a valve and two bypasses. His goal in life was to be an inspiration to others dealing with disabilities or health problems. He faced his health problems with a positive attitude and strong faith in God to support the doctors in his recoveries. Raymond is survived by his daughter, Catherine L. Stewart-Pent and her husband Joseph T. Pent; two granddaughters, Julie M. Pent and Jenna L. Pent; his loving pet Pomeranian, Rascal; two Godchildren, Curt Chaffinch of Jacksonville, Fla., and Danielle Poliseno of Dover; a sister, Joyce and husband William Prahl of Cambridge, Md.; several nieces and nephews; and an aunt, Marian Chaffinch of Jacksonville, Fla. Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home in Felton. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will be at White's Chapel Cemetery in Milton. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Gideons International, Kent County South Camp, P.O. Box 56, Harrington, DE 19952.