Raymond Demara

Raymond Maurice Demara, a decorated veteran of the Korean War, passed away at his home in Laurel Hill, Florida after a year-long struggle with kidney failure.  He was 87.

Mr. Demara was born November 16, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island to parents George Leo and Germaine Rose Demara.

In 1948, Mr. Demara enlisted in the US Army and served for 22 years, first as an infantryman and later in artillery as a specialist.  Sergeant First Class Demara was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action near Nae-dong, Korea on January 7, 1952 as well as the Purple Heart.  As an artillery specialist, SFC Demara worked on several of the US Army's new rocket and missile programs including the Redstone and Nike Ajax/Hercules systems.  SFC Demara met the love of his life, Lorraine, in 1952 and they were married at Camp Rucker, Alabama.  During this phase of his military career , SFC Demara took duty assignments in nine different States with one additional deployment to Korea in 1965.  He retired in 1969 to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

In 1973, Mr. Demara moved to the panhandle of Florida briefly living in Ft. Walton Beach before moving to Laurel Hill in 1974 to set down roots and raise his family.

Married for 66 years at the time of his death, he and Lorraine raised seven children.  Mr. Demara is survived by his wife, Lorraine and their seven children; Raymond, Louise, David, Steven, Dean, Darlene and Michael, sons-in-law Scott Crawford and Donnie McCart, daughters-in-law Marie Demara and Laura Demara as well as sixteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

Raymond Demara will be remembered as a patriot, a loving and dedicated family man, a fearless man and for his love of life and his great sense of humor.

A grave-side service with military honors will be held on August 15, 2018 at 10:00AM at the Reeder Cemetery across the street from the Campton Assembly of God Church (Hwy 85 and Luke Lane).

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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