Raymond Irick
Raymond Irick, 98, Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin. He was born May 8, 1915, in Kokomo, to John and Bessie (Norris) Irick. On December 23, 1936, he married Helen "Naomi" (Snyder) Irick, and she preceded him in death on September 28, 2006.
Raymond graduated from Kokomo High School in 1934. After graduation, he worked at Continental Steel Corporation where he was an electrical crane operator. He served in the United States Naval Construction Battalion USNCTC 114th and 69th where he was classified as an electrician's mate 2/C (T) (CB) V6 SV USNR during World War II in the European Theatre of Operations from 1943 to 1945 and was then given an honorable discharge. He received an electrical certification from International Correspondence Schools and moved to Saudi Arabia in 1952, where he worked for the Arabian American Oil Company as an electrician. His family joined him there in 1954 where they remained until his retirement in 1967. After retirement, they moved back to Kokomo, and he became co-owner of Eades Camera Shop from 1968 to 1984.
He liked fishing and photography and was an avid reader, especially enjoying Louis L'Amour books. He was very active in his grandchildren's lives and cherished every moment with them. He became a Mason in 1963 in Saudi Arabia Lodge #882, and he joined the Howard Masonic Lodge #93 in 1968. He was a member of the York Rite Kokomo Chapter #104, Council #60, and Commandery #36, where he was High Priest in 1972. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, and the Knights Templar.
Raymond is survived by his daughters, Judith A. Chittick, Newark, Delaware, and Barbara Warnock, Kokomo; brothers, Lloyd (Janet) Irick and John (Rebecca) Irick; sisters, Dorothy Shively and Lucille (James) Collins; eight grandchildren, John Chittick, Mary (Scott) McKenna, Sara (Kevin) Dempsey, Tawnya (Shane) Harrison, Shane (Christine) Sims, Austin (Rebecca) Warnock, Aaron (friend Kristy) Warnock, and Evan Price; great-grandchildren, Makayla and Kaitlyn Lucas, Gavin, Shane and Reilly McKenna, Shelly Walters, Colin and James Dempsey, Aaron and Gregory Warnock, AnnaBell Price, and Isabella and Greyson Sims; great-great-grandchildren, Addyson Lucas Shockley; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Maynard and Floyd Irick; and sisters, Violet Heinmiller and Madeline Turley. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin. Messages of condolence may be expressed online at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.