Raymond T. Ploughman's Obituary
Mr. Raymond Temple Ploughman passed away Saturday evening, March 7, 2009, of cancer at the age of 89. Born in Muskegon September 20, 1919 to Frederick and Henrietta (Temple) Ploughman he attended Muskegon schools graduating in 1937 from Muskegon High School. In 1940 he enrolled in Muskegon Junior College and later attended the University of Iowa and Muskegon School of Business. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy receiving his officer’s commission in 1943 as a navy pilot. His WWII overseas duties included Patrol Squadron 92 and Bombing Squadron 132 stationed in then French Morocco with many other duties in Italy and southern France. He continued flying his own planes for 50 years locally. In 1945 Ray married Jacqueline Platch in New York City and returned to Muskegon where he and lifelong friend John D. Mason started Stationery Supply Company in Muskegon Heights. In 1979 he retired and moved to the mountains of western North Carolina. Jacqueline died in 1985 and in 1987 Ray married Ardis June Ruiter of Muskegon who died in 2000 after the couple had returned to Muskegon to live. Ray was a lifelong member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church and also belonged to the YMCA, the Town Club and the Muskegon Country Club. He is survived by two sons, Raymond Jr. (Catherine) of Grosse Pointe Park and Frederic M. of Fruitport, one granddaughter, Carolyn Carriere and by a special lady who brought him love and companionship for 8 years, June Wurtz of Norton Shores. Ray always enjoyed the outdoors and for 28 consecutive years spent ten days or more riding horseback and camping in various western wilderness areas and also made three trips down the Grand Canyon in Arizona. He also enjoyed rafting down wild rivers including the Snake River in Wyoming, the Middle Fork and Main Salmon rivers in Idaho, the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge in Colorado and several rivers in western North Carolina and north Georgia. Ray worked as a volunteer courier at Hackley Hospital for 19 years, a job that gave him great satisfaction. SERVICES will be held 11 AM Thursday at The Lee Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey Street, 231-798-1100 with Pastor David Sieplinga officiating. VISITATION with Ray’s family will be 6-8PM Wednesday. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS to American Cancer Society will be appreciated.
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