Raymond E. Durham, 81, went home to be with the Lord on July 8, 2018. He was a native Delawarean who was married 32 years to his beloved wife, Barbara.
Ray was the eldest son of Frank and Dorothy Durham born in Wilmington, DE. He was a 1954 graduate of Conrad High School. He was very talented in football and other types of sports in school. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps right after high school and served his country proudly in the 2nd Marine Air Wing during the Korea era. After his discharge, Ray returned to Delaware and worked for several industrial and construction companies in the management field. He was a master craftsman in carpentry. He worked 18 years at the Motor Wheel Corporation as a General Foreman. He retired in 2001 working16 years as a Code Enforcement Officer/Constable with the City of Newark.
Ray loved his leather hobby, and designed and made leather gun holsters, guitar straps, small waste receptacles, key chains, and wallets. He designed Christmas and Fall pinecone wreaths with his wife, Barbara. He sold his wares at the Newark Senior Center and to private buyers. He loved the outdoors, and he was an avid hunter in his earlier years. He once lived in Colorado where he enjoyed backpacking, water rafting, skiing, fly fishing and hunting.
He enjoyed watching football, especially the Redskins, NASCAR racing and Fox news. For several years, he and his wife owned travel trailers and enjoyed camping and traveling with friends.
Ray is survived by his 3 daughters, Lynda Daring (Brian) of Newark, Donna Cushing of Wilmington, and Karen Dionisi (Michael) of Smyrna. He has 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Sons are Robert Sizemore and his wife, Maureen who live in Middletown, DE and Michael and Karen Sizemore who live in Soddy Daisy, TN.
He is survived by his sister, Judy Badders, and her husband Norman who live in New Castle, and his brother Dr. Arthur Durham and wife, Kris who live in Newport, NC. There are many nieces and nephews.
Services for Ray will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Kingswood United Methodist Church, 300 Marrows Road, Newark, DE 19713. Family and friends may attend the visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. A private burial will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery later in the year. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made payable to “Kingswood United Methodist Church” and sent in care of R.T. Foard & Jones, Inc., 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.