Lora Raymond Stidham's Obituary
Lora Raymond Stidham, son of Lora and Martha Stidham, went home to be with the Lord on September 6, 2018; joining his wife of 71 years and his two children, Michael Raymond and Kristi Lynne.Ray, as most called him, was born May 7, 1922 in Middletown, OH; living there through high school where he met his future wife. He worked at ARMCO Steel until joining the Army Air Force in Dayton, OH. While Ray was stationed in Texas for Basic Training, Luise joined him and they were married September 12, 1942 in Bonham, TX. Ray as 1st. Lieutenant served in two theaters, North Africa and Europe during WWII.Ray was always thinking of his family. Career decisions were made, sometimes with a sacrifice on his part but his family in mind. He was a good father to his two daughters, supporting their endeavors and there for them in times of failure. He loved his grandson greatly and enjoyed many wonderful excursions with him, as Ray worked all over Florida and North Carolina.In their later years, Ray and Luise attended Southwest Baptist Church in Ft. Myers. They especially enjoyed the teaching and special music, as Ray played piano when he was young. Ray is survived by his daughter Gretchen, his grandson Byron, and many special cousins. Anyone who spent a lot of time with Ray became a part of his extended “family”, including his caregivers of the last one and a half years and his many friends at Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel.The funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 12 at 10:30 A.M., at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. He will then be laid to rest in Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
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