Raymond Wesley Sumerlin Sr

On March 4, 2024, we lost a great man. America called him a soldier. We called him Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Brother, Cousin, and Friend. Master Sergeant Raymond Wesley Sumerlin Sr, Retired USAF.

He was born in Walla Walla WA, on September 27, 1942, to Wes and Natalie Sumerlin. For many years growing up, he worked on many of the farms in the area as well as for his dad, packing horses and even dogs in our blue mountains. Eventually, he would go onto the United States Air Force, and serve in Vietnam. After Vietnam he came home to Fairchild AFB before moving on to places like Maine, Alaska, Louisiana, and Texas. He continued to serve for more than another decade until he retired in 1983, moving to Gleed WA, with his family. After the Military he worked for Pringles Power Vac, till he eventually became head of security at the Blue Mountain Mall. At the time many of the officers he trained went on to law enforcement for the city. After the mall closed, he worked with children with special needs at a home here in Walla Walla. He loved working with those kids and being around more for his own kids and Grandchildren. He just didn’t know how to retire or relax, except when he was fishing.

He was preceded in death by his daughters, Melinda Jean Sumerlin-Johnson and Linette Sumerlin; his parents, Charles “Wes” Sumerlin and Natalie Louise Sumerlin; his sister, Anita L. Sumerlin; and brother, John J. Sumerlin.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Sumerlin; his sister, Carol J Patton; brother, Tom Sumerlin; sons, Raymond W Sumerlin Jr (Maryann Sumerlin wife), Gilbert Sumerlin, Cynette Sumerlin, and Johnathan C Sumerlin (Koda & Sophie furry Grandkids) and his stepson, Dennis Berry. He had multiple grandchildren, Amber, Nathan, Anthony and Joshua Sumerlin, Michael Johnson, Jeremy and Justin Wilan, and Cy J Barnes. As well as numerous great-grandchildren.

He may be gone, but his legacy will carry on and he will be missed daily. I hope the fishing is good in heaven, but we also kind of hope you get the occasional snag just to keep you honest. Can’t make it too easy on you. I’m sure you’re in heaven with all the family and still baiting the hooks for Melinda and Lynette, which we all knew how to do but knew you loved to help us with it like you helped us with everything else in life. That we will carry on and pass on to future generations.

Happy trails….

A memorial service will be held on April 5, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, with a celebration of life following at the VFW Post 992, 102 N Colville St.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salmon for Soldiers, Outward Bound for Veterans, or Veterans Suicide through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.