Raymond Wesley Tupling

1932 - 2025

Raymond Wesley Tupling
January 4, 1932 - April 4, 2025
Raymond Wesley Tupling, age 93, passed away on April 4, 2025 with his son Ricard by his side. He was born on January 4, 1932 in Yakima, WA, the fourth of five sons. For the first years of his life, he lived around his grandfather, the Reverend James E. Weller, in Yakima, WA. And his Uncle Albert Weller. It was from his Uncle Albert that he gained his love of roses.
At the age of 7, in 1939, his family moved to Mansfield, WA, where his Dad, Ernest Tupling farmed. Raymond's Mother, Naoma, was a preacher's daughter, and her values carried over to her five sons.
Raymond graduated from Mansfield High School in 1950, where he was Valedictorian of his class. He played football, basketball and baseball. During the last football game of the season, he broke his leg. He tried to play his senior season of basketball in late January, still with a cast on his leg. Raymond loved athletics. Raymond's teammates included his brothers Bob and Jerry. Raymond was a Mansfield Kernel. Go Kernel's!
After graduating from Mansfield High School, he worked for his Father on the farm that summer, and saved $300. In the Fall of 1950, he attended Whitworth University. Raymond realized he didn't have the funds to attend, and left after a short time. Raymond came home to Mansfield and worked for the local PUD as a lineman, mainly in the Banks Lake area, then enrolled at Seattle University in the Fall of 1951.
Raymond spent two years at Seattle University, and was a member of the Army ROTC. Since three of his brothers were active military, and the Korean War was raging, he resigned his commission, and volunteered for active duty in the U. S. Army. A band of brothers.
Raymond attended Basic Training at Ford Ord, California, where he became a excellent marksman. Along with the four other top marksman from his class, Raymond was trained as a sniper. After sniper training in California, he was assigned to Louisiana, where he learned how to fire shoulder howitzers, and flame throwers. Raymond was designated for assignment in Korea, up the Yalu River, until the Korean War was ended by President Eisenhower. Raymond and his brother Jerry met President Eisenhower while serving in the military.
After the Korean War ended, his brother, Tommy's brother-in-law, got Raymond reassigned to the dental unit. Raymond invented a better way to x-ray patient's teeth. Raymond received a General's commendation for his inventive procedure. Although he never spoke about the General's commendation, he was very proud of receiving it.
After active duty in the military, he attended Eastern Washington State College, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education. Raymond married Reba Derrickson, in October, 1955 and his first child, Moni, was born in May, 1956. Raymond served six years in the Army Reserve, after active duty in the U.S. Army.
Raymond's first teaching assignment was in Kennewick, WA, followed by teaching assignments at Pioneer Jr. High in Wenatchee, WA and Bridgeport, WA. While at Bridgeport, Raymond was High School Math & Science Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director, and became Bridgeport High School Principal. Raymond's basketball teams were very competitive, and had outstanding win/loss records.
Raymond married Carolyn Hall in August, 1966. They were married in Yakima, WA, by his grandfather, the Reverend James F. Weller. Carolyn's young daughters, Robin and Melissa were raised by Raymond and Carolyn. Raymond loved these girls, as his own, and they were.
In 1970, he became Tonasket High School principal, for two years, before moving on to become Leavenworth, WA School Superintendent for the next 12 years. All five of Raymond's children graduated from Leavenworth High School.
After a short two year stint as Superintendent at Wapato School District, Raymond left the education profession, and worked for the State of Washington for 13 years.
Upon his retirement, Raymond enjoyed golfing and being a part of raising his daughter, Melissa's children in Spokane. Misha and Katija were ingrained with the same values he held, which included excellence in academics and athletics. Raymond was involved in the Indian Trail School and Shadle Park High School events for these girls, as well as travelling in his motor home, with his wife, Carolyn, the girls and Melissa, Robin and her daughter, Ashley, during these years.
Raymond ensured Melissa's daughters attended and graduated from college, at his alma mater, Eastern Washington University. His grandchildren, Talia (UW), Billy (WSU, Wyoming) Randall (WSU), Ashley (WSU) are all college graduates. Raymond was very proud of his grandchildren's academic achievements.
Raymond always gave his best. At everything. He was meticulous, demanding, kind, thoughtful and had expectations for himself and his children. Being a child of the Great Depression, Raymond was a very frugal man.
Raymond's wife of 51 years, Carolyn, passed away in the Summer of 2018. His daughter, Melissa passed away in the winter of 2018. Raymond was lost without these two, as their devotion to him was paramount. Even his old cat died that year. His life was never the same without Carolyn and Melissa. He loved them so much.
Raymond was an excellent carpenter. His love for old military jeeps, and building wooden canopies for them, was only superseded by building a beautiful home on Ski Hill Drive in Leavenworth, WA. He meticulously built bird houses too. Despite his severe case of shingles and two screws in his lower back, he persevered. Raymond was not a complainer.
In the last year of his life, he lived with his son Ricard. Raymond enjoyed the hand made chocolate milkshakes his son made for him, watching Mecum Auto Auctions, and any auto restoration show or home improvement show, and of course, college basketball. He also loved chocolate and caramel. Raymond enjoyed Sudoku and scratch tickets, as long as he won.
Raymond was cared for by Cassie, his youngest grandson's mother, who cared for him in Spokane at his home on different occasions. Raymond said on many occasions that Cassie was his "angel," and called her his "daughter", Raymond and Cassie had a very special relationship. They travelled, went to casinos, he loved her cheeseburgers, gardening together, and relaxing in the evening watching tv and playing games with Westley. They would also go to watch Westley's sporting events. Cassie dedicated herself to his wellness and quality of life. Raymond loved and trusted Cassie, and she brought out a playful and fun side of him.
Raymond was also cared for by Lily, who kept the laughter and love in the house and he counted on her too.
During his final year of life, Raymond enjoyed watching his youngest grandson, Westley, play football, basketball and baseball. Westley and his grandfather shared a special bond.
Raymond's best friend throughout all the years of his life, was his brother Bob. At an early age, they were inseparable, and were bunkmates as youngsters. Raymond was very loyal to his brother Bob. Best friends and brothers throughout life.
Raymond was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Carolyn; parents, Ernie (1955) and Naoma (2011); step father, Louis Matthiesen (1985); brothers, Jerry (1970), Tommy (2010), and Norman (2013); daughters, Moni (2021) and Melissa; and his grandsons, Daniel and Jeremy.
Raymond is survived by his brother, Bob; his sons, Ray and Ricard; daughter, Robin; and his grandchildren.
Raymond will be interred at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery next to his wife Carolyn. He was a very devoted husband to his wife.
May the sadness we feel today, with his passing, become bittersweet memories. Raymond lived a good and long life. Rest easy sweet soul. We will miss you. We will look for you among the stars.