Ken Gamble
Ray Teagraden was a sailor through and through. a second class machinist mate who served below decks down in the hole. while doing his job a mortar round came through and shattered his sole. from that day until his last he was never the same,always on guard and enduring the pain.
SAILOR ONCE AND YOUNG once a sailor always a sailor. Those weren't just hull numbers they were our homes and as Ray would say to save time lets just assume I am never wrong.
We weren't just shipmates we were family and neighbors but if you couldn't do your job drunk you weren't a sailor. Ray would often say that he was a psychotic petty officer your mother warned you about. Then he would ask if you could smell that? That's the smell of liberty call and alcohol,I'm out of here.
After the navy Ray didn't quit, he was a published author, an entrepreneur with several patents for the things he created. The best thing of all was Carolyn the lady that he dated. FORTY SOME ODD YEARS they were married,leaning on each other through thick and thin. Before Ray passed he stated he would do it all again.
THE MAN STOOD TALL with the love of his life by his side and love of country always showed in his pride. The letter "C" was special to Ray,it stood for Carolyn, country and charity.
Ray Teagarden was navy through and through and now he sails off into the blue, to meet his Lord and the rest of his old crew. It may be his last voyage but I'm sure Ray will finally have smooth sailing,ship ahoy my dear friend, my military brother, we will meet again no ifs,buts , or maybes so until then keep the wind to your back and the salt out of your face and thank GOD for his amazing grace. " I love you man"
Wednesday February 22, 2017 at 4:04 pm
