Raymond Charles Gilkerson
September 18, 1919 - March 28, 2010
Obituary
Raymond Gilkerson, born on September 18, 1919 in Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of March 28, 2010. The only son of F. Ray and Nellie Redward Gilkerson, Ray graduated from Queen Anne High School before entering the University of Washington.
After two successful years at the university, and with war imminent, Ray decided to enroll in a special US Navy program for promising college students to develop officers. He graduated a midshipman in June of 1941. He was assigned to different supply ships right after Pearl Harbor and spent the war years travelling the Pacific theater providing vital supplies for the war effort. He next served on the USS Lesuth from November 1943 and eventually was given its command. While on leave in Seattle he met Corinne Collins and there ensued correspondence and courtship that culminated in their marriage on December 24, 1944. He then shipped out once again through the wars conclusion and was eye witness to the devastation of Japan. He achieved the rank of Captain. He was part of what has become known as the greatest generation, those who endured the Great Depression, fought victoriously in World War II, and came home to build the United States.
Ray remained in the Naval Reserve for the next twenty years. After the war he went to work in 1946 with the National Bank of Commerce, where he first began in 1940 as a messenger while in college. He received increasing and diverse placements in the Seattle area. Eventually he was promoted to Vice President in the national division where he represented the bank in the capital markets of New York City and Chicago. He retired in 1974. The Gilkerson family, with daughters Diane and Cheryl, lived for several pleasant decades on Rosemont Place West in Magnolia, where Ray would spend many hours with binoculars in hand watching the ships traverse the waters he knew so well. He and Corinne then moved to Lockhaven, overlooking the locks of Lake Washington before moving to the Cristwood Park community in Shoreline in 2006.
While successful in his career, his passion was Christian theology and faith. He became active in the weekly City Chapel Breakfast Group, which became known simply as The Fellowship. From Seattle this group expanded and began in Washington, DC, and with the active participation of President Eisenhower, the National Prayer Breakfast. Ray read widely and deeply and these studies, along with reflections on his own experience, were manifest in his numerous talks, writings, and discussions. In time he and Corinne became active in the community of the First Free Methodist Church of Seattle.
Ray is survived by Corinne, his wife of more than 65 years, his daughters Diane Curtis Lofgren and Cheryl Michael Warder, and three grandchildren: Maureen, Amy, and Michael, Jr., as well as 2 nieces and one nephew. A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, April 3 at Cristwood Park in Shoreline. Remembrances may be given to the First Free Methodist Church of Seattle or a charity of choice.
Our sympathy to the family fromSmith-Williston
Our sympathy to the family fromSmith-Williston
My condolences to you, Cheryl, and your family. Though I did not know your parents when we were in high school together, reading about your father helped me to understand the fine family in which you grew up. May you and your family be blessed with peace as you mourn the loss of this fine man.
This is for Ray & Corinne. For many years I had the distinct honor to know both of them through Corinne being one of my most loved customers in my salon in magnolia. She was a ladies lady. Always spoke well of everyone she knew and loved. Ray was such a gentlemen and loved her so much. One could see his love for her in all his protective ways he had for Corinne. To hear their laughter and seeing them leave the salon on Fridays, together minding each other walking down the stairs. They were the couple everyone dreams of being one day, at the end of one’s life. We all hope and pray the Lord helps us to live as they did, not judging others, but inspiring us all. Theirs was one wonderful love story. I believe Ray got to heaven and God said to Ray, ‘well done my good and faithful servant.’ Maybe then the Lord ask Ray if he had one special request? Ray answered, could I ask if Corinne might be with me right away? God replied yes of course. My love to their wonderful daughters and families.