Obituary of Raymond Vincent LaRue

Raymond Vincent LaRue passed away on June 4, 2018, in Lexington, Kentucky at his home he shared with daughter, Cynthia Gail Burton and son in law, Larry Burton. He was born on July 8, 1921 in Rivesville, West Virginia. He was the second son of the late Loyal “Jack” and “Thelma Smith LaRue.”

He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He continued his Protestant Faith, membership in the American Legion for more than 30 years, AARP member since 1984. He was a supporter of many Civic, Veteran, and Charitable organizations. He was one of the founding members of Sugar Lane Water Association near Rivesville, and has been a member of UMWA since 1949.

He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife of more than 60 years “Fronie Bailey LaRue”, brother “Kenneth D. LaRue and wife Sarah” of Charlotte, NC, sister “Norma McCartney” of Rivesville, WV.

Survivors include his daughter “Cynthia Gail” (Larry) Burton of Lexington, KY, step son Robert “Bob” (Sonya) Crosby of Vero Beach, FL, sister, “Doris M. Christy” of Rivesville, WV; nieces: Kitty Johnson, Peggy (Hans) Wikle of Rivesville, WV and Merry Lee Powell of Fairmont, WV. The special bond of love and respect with nephew; Leslie (Lucy) McCartney of Mt. Airy, MD who gave dad the special name of “Unc.” Seven grandchildren: Toby Vincent Burton of Louisville, KY, Randy “Noah” (Marie) Crosby of Burlington, VT, Alex Crosby of Andrews, SC, Bruce Crosby (Elizabeth) of Gilbert, AZ, Blaine Crosby of Norfolk, VA, Patrice “Trice” (Harry) Wilson of Pelham, MA, Amber Alden of Atlanta, GA. He was also blessed with several great grandchildren in numerous states.

Being a teen-age child of the 1929 Depression and military draft age, Raymond enlisted for 6 years in November 1940 in the U.S. Navy. He qualified for 4 months Machinist Class, 6 months Naval Ordinance Class and GED classes to finish high school educational requirements. He had three different ship assignments in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He was awarded the American Defense Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, European-African Campaign Medal with 2 stars, Asiatic Pacific Campaign with 3 stars, WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged with CMM-PA rating on January 17, 1947. He reenlisted in the inactive USNR, continuously for 14 years. We salute my father’s distinguished active and reserve service in the U.S. Navy.

Subsequently, returning to the mountains, he went into the mining industry for more than three decades with retirement from Loveridge Coal Mine, Fairview, WV as a UMWA Fire boss.

Throughout his life he was known as a hardworking, honest man who always had a plentiful garden, orchards of various fruits and unlimited knowledge for conversation, sitting on the back porch with friends and family. With failing health and advancing age, family recommended and urged him to move to Kentucky and live with daughter, Cynthia Gail and son-in-law Larry.

Celebration of his life with visitation will be at Ford Funeral Home, DeGarmo Chapel, 207 Second St., Rivesville, WV 26588, on Thursday, June 7, 2018, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.  The funeral service will be conducted on Friday, June 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens in Westover, WV with full military honors being conducted by the Marion County Veteran’s Council. Family would appreciate any memorial contributions be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.FORDFUNERALHOMES.com.