Raymond John "Ray" Herman, 84, of Orange, entered his eternal rest on Friday, April 25, 2008, after a long and lengthy illness. He fought a courageous fight and was steadfast in his faith and was determined to regain his health.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orange, with Reverend Joseph P. Daleo, pastor, serving as celebrant.
Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Orange, under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 5-9 p.m. Monday with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Ray was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 20, 1923, the son of John and Frances Herman. His hard working philosophy was ingrained in him while growing up the oldest of four siblings. While in grade school, he learned to play the saxophone.
In 1941, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for six years. While in the Navy, he started playing in the band for U.S.O. shows in Pearl Harbor, California, Chicago and other ports of entry, including the U.S.O. hall in Orange.
During his six month stay in Orange, he met Antoinette Mazzola. They married on August 4, 1946.
Together, they completed his tour in Alaska and returned to Orange where Ray was discharged in 1948.
After being released from the Navy, Ray and his brother-in-law, Mike Mazzola, had a small service station on 1st and Park Streets. This was during a time in Orange when, as Ray said, "there were 50 gas stations in town – one on every corner." He learned the business of car repair through on the job training. Later, he built his station on 4th and Park Streets, which has been his domain for the last 40 years.
Ray was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and
V.F. W. Post 2775, in Orange.
Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Antoinette Herman; two sons, Ronnie and Richard Herman; grandson, Raymond Ben Herman, Jr.; brother, Albert Herman and son-in-law, Ron Bacak.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, John and Sherry Herman, Raymond B. Herman, James and Bitsy Herman, all of Orange; daughter, Frances Bacak of Escatawpa, Mississippi; sisters, Theresa Fieden, Bernadine Gramil; and brother, Edward Herman, all of Maryland.
Also surviving are his grandchildren, Amber Rae and Adam Herman, Christi Anderson and her husband, Michael, Ronnie Bacak, Jr., Peggy Sherman and her husband, John, Lanette and Renee Bacak, Evelyn Taylor and her husband, John, Lauren and Caitlin Herman, Patricia Broussard and her husband, Kyle and 11 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed
to St. Mary's School Foundation, 2600 Bob Hall Rd., Orange, Texas 77630.
For those who wish, on line condolences may be left at www.claybarfuneralhome.com .