Raymond Walker

Raymond W. Walker, 83, of Midlothian, Maryland, passed peacefully the morning of February 1, 2022  He saved time to say his farewells with many “I Love You” to his entire family before he slept away to meet his Lord and Savior. Born May 18, 1938 in Midlothian, he was the son of the late George W. Walker and Lillian (Taylor) Walker.  He was also predeceased by his oldest brother, Francis H. Walker and his brothers-in-law, George “Rick” Andrews and Ronald J. Levasseur, and his sister’s partner, Lonnie Nixon.

Raymond graduated from Beall High School in 1956. He served eight (8) years in the Maryland Army National Guard.  He began his career in politics in1961 when he was hired as a Deputy Clerk with the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office in Allegany County.  In 1974 upon the death of Paul C. Haberlein, the Clerk, Ray was appointed acting clerk and was elected the Clerk of the Circuit Court that year.  He continued to be elected every four years and served as Clerk of the Circuit Court from 1974 until his retirement in 2001. During that time frame as deputy clerk and Clerk, Raymond performed over five thousand marriages.  He was an intelligent man who knew and could remember the faces and names of the many people he was able to help in his capacity as the Clerk.

Raymond was very instrumental in beginning the quest to pay tribute to the coal miners who settled the Georges Creek area.  They were his ancestors and many other citizens of Allegany County can trace their lineage to coal miners.  Raymond, along with Enordo (Moose) Arnone, co-chaired the original Miner’s Statue Committee designing and commissioning a life-size statue of a miner.  The miniature replica of the bronze statue was made and the initial project grew to acknowledge the educational part the miners did when they donated monies from their pay that helped to create the Frostburg Normal School which eventually became Frostburg State College now Frostburg State University.  After the replica was made, Ray, his brothers, and the committee went to work to raise funds to make the dream a reality. The dream is to be finalized and dedicated in fall 2022 with the statue being placed in the area of Depot Hill, Frostburg.

He was a past president of the Board of Directors of the CCSAC Federal Credit Union, now known as Potomac Federal Credit Union, a member of Mountain Lodge 99 AF & AM of Frostburg, 32 nd Degree Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Ali Ghan Shrine, Cumberland Court No. 117, Royal Order of Jesters, and Tall Cedars of Lebanon of Freemasonry.

Raymond was a longtime member of the Maplehurst Country Club, where he served on the Board of Directors.  He formed many lifelong friendships over a round of golf and experienced many points of view over whether that putt was a “gimmee.” He loved golf and played many courses over the years.  He enjoyed playing cards with his friends and in later years having “guys’ night” with his brothers and lifelong friends.  In retirement, he liked to take Saturday morning rides to Amish country with his nephew, Cory. During his last years, his great-grandchildren is what he said kept him going because he considered them to be the apple of his eye and provided many a good laugh for him.  He was a very strong, outgoing man and helped his family and friends in many ways.

He is survived by his loving  wife of 60 years, Linda (nee Ark),  his daughter, Belinda Rae Auvil (husband Jeff) and grandchildren, Mindi Stevens (husband Brandon), Nikki Rae Swauger (partner Tyler), Corbin Swauger (wife Jessica), and Kendra Engle (husband Brady).   He leaves behind the lights of his life, his great-grandchildren, best friend, Braxdon, Brylee, Aurora, Eliza, a new granddaughter expected in April, and three bonus Olivia, Kyleigh and Tanner.

He is also survived by his brothers, Charles (Judy) Walker, George Kenneth (Jinx) Walker, Samuel (Linda) Walker, Dale (Cindy) Walker, Fred (Terri) Walker, and John Walker,; sisters, Juanita Andrews, Linda Buckel., Ellen (Rick) Scaletta, Elaine (Kim) Jackson, and Carolyn “Cookie” Walker; aunt, Peggy R. Taylor as well as twenty-eight nieces and nephews, with many great nieces and great nephews whom he loved and cared for very much. His close friends, Honorable Gary G. Leasure, Gary Simpson, Louise Hott and Julie Brubaker.  Ray and Linda participated in the Foreign Exchange Student Program in 1979 where they gained their “Turkish daughter”, Sevinc Ozcan (husband Arif) and grandchildren, Gunsel and Nulifer.  Ray and Linda had a grand visit to Sri Lanka the former home of Sevinc and Arif where they met her parents.

Raymond loved his family deeply and provided well for them throughout his life. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, great-uncle and good friend to many over his lifetime. All of his family and friends who knew and loved him will greatly miss him.

Family and Friends will be received at Durst Funeral Home, 57 Frost Avenue, Frostburg, on Thursday, February 3rd and Friday, February 4th, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A M. on Saturday, February 5th at Durst Funeral Home with Pastor Kristin Beeman officiating.  Interment will be in Frostburg Memorial Park following the service.

In lieu of floral arrangements, donations may be made to the Coal Miners Memorial Statue Fund, c/o The Foundation for Frostburg/CMMSF, P.0. Box 765, Frostburg, Maryland 21532; or Trinity Assembly of God Church, Midlothian, Maryland 21543.