Harold Raymond

11/28/1928 – 02/25/2012
Harold Raymond was born November 28, 1928 in Bellingham, WA to Harold E. and Mercedes (Riggs) Raymond. When he was seven, the family moved to Puyallup and later to Tacoma. He graduated from Stadium High School in June 1946 and enlisted in the US Army Air Force on January 27, 1947. While stationed at Kelly AFB in San Antonio Texas, he met Otila “Tillie” Casanova and they were married on December 20, 1948. After discharge from the Air Force in 1949, Harold attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio until June 1950. Returning to Bellingham in summer 1950 he was employed by Mt. Baker Plywood and later, Georgia Pacific Plywood. In April 1954, he joined the Bellingham Police Department. Continuing his education, he graduated from Western Washington College of Education in 1955, working full time and carrying a full college load. He joined the Air National Guard in 1955, was commissioned in 1956 and rose to the rank of Major before retiring as the Commander of the Local 262nd Combat Communications Squadron in 1979. In the fall of 1955, he was appointed Juvenile Officer for the Bellingham Police Department. He became Sgt. in 1959, and a Captain in 1970. In December 1975 he was appointed Deputy Chief of Police. In January 1976 he was promoted to Acting Chief of Police until Terry Mangan was selected Chief in July that year. He then reverted to Deputy Chief until his retirement in July 1979, at the age of 50. He ran for the Office of County Executive during the fall of 1978, but lost in the Primary. Harold served as the Personnel Director for Whatcom County from 1980 to 1989. During all of his years in college, he performed approximately fifty plays, operas, and musical comedies, mostly on the Bellingham Theatre Guild Stage. Two of his favorite plays were Kiss Me Kate and Dracula. Harold has been a chess player since his high school days. He and friend Danny Chin have played regularly since 1955. He has played in many tournaments and attained a Class “A” rating in his active tournament days. He was asked to direct the Theresa Tromp Chess Tournament for Lynden School children and did so for twenty-five years. Another long term interest has been the game of bridge. He and Tillie have played for many years and have many friends in the local clubs. Harold is survived by his wife Tillie, children Irene Hutchinson (husband Jim) of Kirkland, WA; Richard (Donna) Raymond of Tacoma; Mark Raymond (wife Theresa) of Bellingham and Phillip Raymond (wife Nancy) of Sedro Woolley, five grandchildren, Robert Hutchinson, Jessica (husband Nate) Hoffman, Steven (wife Kathie) Raymond (USMC), Alecia Raymond, and Olivia Raymond, 3 great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Annalise, and Eaven. He is also survived by his sister, Sylvia Lee, and her children James Lee; and Scott Lee. A Celebration of Harold’s life with full military honors will be held at Westford Funeral Home on Friday, March 2nd at 11 AM followed by a reception across the street at Westford’s Broadway Hall. Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org .