Francis Raymond Crist was born June 29, 1927 in Appleton City, Missouri, son of William and Flora (Whitehead) Crist. Raymond was drafted into the Army in September of 1945 and was stationed in Korea at the end of WWII and beginning of the Korean “Conflict”, a distinction that was very important to him. In May of 1947, he was honorably discharged from service and returned home.
Raymond was united in marriage to Dorothy “Dot” Ensor Crist on November 25, 1950. Their union brought them two daughters. Raymond was a truck driver his whole life, a profession he truly loved. Whether hauling freight through quiet country highways or busy city streets, he found freedom behind the wheel and pride in his hard work. There did not seem to be a road he hadn’t traveled — much like the famous song “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash, which always seemed to fit his life perfectly.
Raymond was proud of the fact that he had been to all of the 48 contiguous states and had seen Hawaii on his way to Korea, making Alaska the only state he had not seen. No matter how many miles separated Raymond from home, family remained the center of his world. He was happiest when he was spending time with his wife, two daughters, two grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and good friends.
Raymond definitely had an ornery streak and never met a stranger. He loved a good joke and was always up for some good-natured teasing. In August of 2016, Raymond got the opportunity to go on the Honor Flight to see the military monuments in Washington D.C. This trip, in which his granddaughter got to accompany him as his guardian, was a major highlight of his life. He loved telling anyone who would listen about his trip and encouraged as many other veterans as he could to sign up as well.
Raymond was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dot Crist, his parents, two sisters Opal Dennis and Myrtle Miller, and brother Roy Crist. He is survived by his daughters Gayle Stark and Debbie Goldammer, grandchildren Heather Goldammer and Clayton Stark, and numerous nieces and nephews.
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