Christopher Clarence Raymond, 85 of Lake City, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the Haven Suwannee Valley Hospice Care Center.  He was born in Madawaska, Maine to the late Henry and Regina Berward Raymond and was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean War.  Mr. Raymond had lived in North Florida since 1973 having moved here from Wolcott, CT.  He, along with his late first wife Florence Ann Swarin Raymond, were house parents for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch in Live Oak from 1973-1993.  Mr. Raymond earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Karate, enjoyed walking and jogging when able and was an avid gardener.  He was of the Baptist faith, member of Hopeful Baptist Church and he was an avid reader of Christian books as well as having read the Bible over 8 times.  Mr Raymond was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and Reginald Raymond.

Survivors include his wife, Lela B. Raymond, Lake City; two brothers, Albert Raymond (Lorraine), Cherry Valley, IL and Gerald Raymond, Madawaska, ME; two sisters, Lorraine Ducas, Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada and Geraldine Raymond Pelletier, Sanford, ME; numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Raymond will be conducted on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel with Pastor Zeb Cook and Pastor Mark Cunningham officiating.  Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening from 5-7:00 PM at the funeral home.