Raymond Gene Perchalski, Sr.

1932 – 2016

Raymond Gene Perchalski, Sr., proud husband, father, United States Marine, and son of Polish immigrants, passed into eternal life on October 15, 2016.

Raymond was born to Anthony and Laura Perchalski in Hightstown, New Jersey in 1932, the 9^th of 11 children.  Raymond was called to serve his country and joined the Marines in 1949.  That journey brought him to Portland, Oregon where he met a fellow Marine, Roland Rau.  In 1952, Roland brought Raymond home to Kennewick to spend Thanksgiving with his family, where he met the love of his life, Roland’s sister, Janet.  A few short months later, they were married and started their cross-country journey together.  The next 30 years were spent serving our nation, 20 years active duty and 10 years in the reserves, including tours during the Korean war and Vietnam war.  Raymond retired from the Marine Corps as a First Sergeant in 1979.  They eventually settled permanently in Kennewick, Washington near Janet’s family to raise their six children.

Raymond was an avid gardener and spent every summer growing an acre of vegetables and fruits until his health declined and he could no longer care for his garden.  He and Janet also enjoyed taking trips to Reno, Nevada and Lincoln City, Oregon or spending time with the family.  Many will remember the annual BBQ-BBQ with Ray and Janet’s homemade sauce and shredded pork loin.  In their later years, Raymond and Janet were passionate baseball fans, following the Seattle Mariners and season ticket holders with the Tri-City Dust Devils.  Raymond was a long-time member of V.F.W. Post 5785 and St. Joseph’s Parish in Kennewick.

Raymond was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janet in 2008, his parents Anthony and Laura, siblings Wanda, Bertha, Violet, Frank, Henry, Edward, Laura, and Frances, and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Raymond is survived by two sisters, Sondra Owens of Pennsylvania and Marcella Arnason of New Jersey; daughters Elizabeth Rogers (husband Michael), Elaine Osborne, Laura Mills, Karen Cloy (husband Louis Jr.); sons Raymond Perchalski, Jr. and Michael Perchalski (wife Jennifer); grandchildren Genevieve Green (husband Jack), Melonie Soden (husband Chris), Christopher Osborne (wife Hannah), Trisha Osborne, Justine Perchalski, Cameron Perchalski, Mackenzie Mills, Jevon Cloy, Trevin Cloy, Corey Smith, Jacob Smith, Zach Richter, Brooklyn Morris; great granddaughter Jolene Osborne; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Throughout his life, Raymond did as Frank Sinatra sang, “I did it my way.”  Thank you to the special individuals who visited Dad in the years since Mom’s passing.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Joseph’s church in Kennewick at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016 and graveside services with full military honors at Riverview Heights Cemetery in Kennewick immediately following.  A reception will follow at Dillon Hall at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Kennewick V.F.W. Post 5785.

Semper Fi!