Obituary: Raymond Edward Dextraze

On Aug. 21, 2014, Raymond E. Dextraze passed away at his home in Prescott, Arizona, surrounded by his family. Ray was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on Dec. 16, 1936 to Millicent Dextraze (Gaudette) and Raymond A. Dextraze.

He graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1955, joined the U.S. Navy and traveled the world serving on submarines.

Ray completed his service with an honorable discharge and continued his education at New Bedford Institute of Technology.

While a student at NBIT (later U. Mass -Dartmouth), he met a lovely nursing student by the name of Joan Mello. They married and began a long and interesting life together as Ray continued his studies, graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering and moving to Montana to pursue his master's degree.

Joan and Ray came back to Massachusetts, and eventually settled in Mattapoisett with their three children, Ered (Raymond Jr.) Cathy and Patti, while Ray worked at Braincon Corp. in Marion, Massachusetts. During this period, Ray developed an avid interest in antique model train and antique toy collection that he would continue for the rest of his life. He and Joan traveled far and wide to yard sales and flea markets in search of trains and antique toys. Ray left his job in 1974 to help his dad in the family dry cleaning business in New Bedford, but his career called him away in 1975 and the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. The family loved the climate and winter sports, but Utah was not where they were to put down roots. The family moved to Texas where Ray worked in oil and gas exploration. They lived in Texas for almost 20 years and his train collection continued to grow.

Ray and Joan finally decided to retire in 1998 and relocated to Prescott, Arizona. Ray continued to consult for his former employer and traveled from Prescott to Texas and an occasional oil rig in the Gulf or the North Sea.

Ray was predeceased by his dad, mother and stepmother Lucille M. Dextraze. He leaves his wife, Joan of Prescott, Arizona; brothers Paul R. Dextraze (Gloria) of Houston, Texas, Richard A. Dextraze (Elizabeth) of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and sister Charlene R. Dextraze (Gary Jezierski) of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Ray also leaves three children of whom he was extremely proud, Ered Matthew of Prescott, Arizona, Catherine DeBarros (Thomas) of Acushnet, Massachusetts and Patricia A. Andrews of Superior, Colorado; grandchildren, Eric DeBarros, Rene DeBarros, Sarah Andrews and David Andrews gave him great joy.

Ray will be interred on Aug. 21, 2015, with full military honors.

Information provided by survivors.


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