Raymond W. Smedul (87) of Denton, TX passed away on April 1, 2016 at Good Samaritan Society in Denton, TX.
He was born on June 20, 1928 to William and Lucy Smedul in Chicago, IL. His Mother and Grandmother emigrated to the United States from Riga, Latvia in 1911. Ray was very proud of his Latvian heritage and spoke the language fluently. He graduated from the University of WI, in Madison with a B.S. degree in Agronomy.
Athletics were an important part of his education. He played high school football in Merrill, WI and was a member of the University of WI Badger football team. Ray served in the U.S. Army of Occupation in Wurzburg, Germany with the 80th Veterinary F.I.D. It was there that he met his future wife Anita; who as a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corp., was also stationed there. Ray retired as Regional Manager of the Dallas Fertilizer Region of Chevron Chemical Co. in 1983, after 30 years of service. He served on many industry trade associations, the Planning and Zoning Commission in Coppell, TX, was a member of the Studebaker Drivers Club, a member of the “Silver M Club” in Merrill, WI and “W Club” for the University of WI.
Ray is survived by his two daughters Roxann (Ken) Zoromski of Wausau, WI and Shelly (Jay) Lewis of Davidson, NC, three grandsons, Zach Zoromski, Spencer Lewis and Conner Lewis, in addition to nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Willam Otto Smedul, his mother Lucy Natalie Lapsenberg- Smedul, his sister Lydia Pauline Smedul-Bolder, and his wife of 60 years, Anita, who passed on September 11, 2015.
Internment for both Ray and Anita will be at a later date at Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines, IA. Memorial contributions can be made to Good Samaritan Society, Lake Forest Village, 3901 Montecito Dr, Denton, TX 76210.