James "Jim" William Raymond, 93, of Duluth, passed away on January 10, 2024 at Elysian Senior Living.

Jim was born in Deerwood, MN on September 22, 1930 to Louie and Isabel Raymond. After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School, he got a job on the Thomas Wilson sailing the Great Lakes and served in the Naval Reserves. He married the love of his life, Caroline Elmer, on June 9, 1951 in Deerwood.

He began stock car racing at Proctor Fairgrounds - #11, from '53-'61 where he won his fair share of victories. They started Arrowhead Tree Service in '53, and this became the source of many funny and amazing stories and pets that most families could never image having in their homes. In '65, getting tired of climbing trees, he invented a bucket truck to aid in the job, which developed into Reach-All Mfg.& Engineering. Reach-All quickly grew to employing over 100 local men and women and had dealerships all over the USA, overseas and major D.O.T. and airline contracts.

During all these activities, he kept his passion for deer hunting in Colorado, Wyoming, Canada and duck hunting at Hole in the Bog up north. They sold the business in '86 and became snowbirds, traveling between Island Lake and Bent Tree Village in Sarasota, FL. Golf then became his main interest, and you could find him almost every day at either Ridgeview Country Club or Bent Tree Country Club in Sarasota. He amazingly had 5 hole-in-ones - that's proof you don't have to be too good of a golfer!

Building and making birdhouses and tables, helping friends, neighbors and strangers was his passion... especially cutting down trees for anyone who would ask and which he was still doing at 88 years old!

Joy, hope and trust in Jesus flowed out of his everyday life. His stories, jokes and caring nature touched and entertained many of us - and he never met a stranger who he did not quickly make into a friend. He could have written a book of all his real-life stories and loved to tell them! He was a member of Faith Baptist Church Sarasota, FL, Skyline Rotary, Bethel Board, Lake Ave Loafers, Ridgeview Country Club, Bent Tree Country Club, Proctor Racing Assoc.

Jim was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jessica Raymond; sister, Mary Lou Mirau; and brother, Joe Raymond.

Jim is survived by his wife of 72 years, Caroline; brother, Louis (Mille) Raymond; sons, Bill (Jody) and Tim (Rene); daughter, Debra (Karl) Johnson; grandchildren, Stuart Raymond, Joel Raymond, Gina Holmes, Kara Raymond, Melissa Bell, Michelle Borson, and Jayme Malenius; 14 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Elysian Senior Living and Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful and loving care they showed Jim in his final days!

Visitation to be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 29th at Anchor Point Church - Fredenberg, 5069 Fish Lake Rd, Duluth, with Memorial Service to follow at 12:00 PM.

by James Raymond

[It's contagious. Pass it on]

It hurts me so

to see a sad face

I wish so much

they could be in my place

For I have a Savior

He's Jesus, God's Son

He died for us

that our life might begin

I share with him

all my joy and my grief

and my joys everlasting

my troubles are brief

You too can have Jesus

just ask him in

oh, what a joy

in just knowing Him

Just ask Him

Dear Jesus, please take my sin

and then feel the joy

that starts from within

He's yours for the asking

so please don't delay

you can be wearing that smile

even starting today