David Raymond passed away Friday, April 26, 2019. He and his wife, Joanie, had been in a car accident the previous Monday, which fractured a vertebrae in David’s neck and damaged his spinal cord, paralyzing him and leaving him unable to breathe on his own. While being examined the doctors also found a large tumor in his brain, which was unknown to David and his family. In God’s tender mercy, David was spared a slow decline and is now with his Savior.

David was born in Seattle, WA in 1947 to Wilbert and Betty Raymond. He grew up in West Seattle, graduating West Seattle High School. He then attended the University of Washington.

In 1972 he moved to Molson, where he bought 60 acres and farmed. Then in 1976 he married Joanie Emry of Oroville. A few months later they moved to the Seattle area where they raised three children.

David became an insurance salesman and loved to spend his leisure time fishing with family and friends.

In 1993 they again made a move, this time to Vashon Island where they lived for the next 24 years.

Though life was good in the Seattle area, David’s heart was always for the country. In 2017 David and Joanie moved back to the Molson Highlands. There they became happily involved in the community; volunteering at the museum, joining the Grange and church. David finally had the garden of his dreams, as well as cows and chickens. He and Joanie traveled back to the coast often to visit their family.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Joanie; their three children, Andy (Jessi), Phil (Liz) and Beth (Paul): his mother, Betty; his brother Gary (Carla); and seven grandchildren, Hadassah, Ethan, Hannah, Clara, Rachel, Amy and Katherine. He also had what he considered a second family in the Hawkins family.

David was preceded in death by his father, Wilbert.

A service will be held June 2nd, 3:00 at East Renton Community Church 13232 156th Ave SE Renton, Wa 98059.