Raymond Lee “Ray” Rambo, 86, of Galesburg, died at 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, March 29, 2022 at Kewanee Care Home, Kewanee, IL.
Ray was born October 5, 1935 in Maquon, Illinois, the son of Raymond Rufus and Edith Bell (Sherman) Rambo. Ray graduated from Galesburg High School in 1954 and then received his bachelor’s degree from Knox College. While attending Knox College, he met the love of his life, E. Maxine Patterson and they were married on May 12, 1961 in Springfield, Illinois. She preceded him in death on May 28, 2016. Ray was drafted into the US Army for a short period of time and later called back in during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. He worked as a traffic surveillance manager for the Department of Transportation for 31 years, retiring in 1991.
While Ray and Maxine were raising their sons, they enjoyed taking many vacations together traveling the United States. He also enjoyed gardening and cheering on his favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. Ray was a member of New Life Baptist Church, Galesburg.
Ray is survived by two sons, Randy Rambo of Princeton, Illinois, and Gregory Rambo of Springfield, Illinois; and one sister, Beverly Kilgore of Kewanee, Illinois. Along with his beloved wife, Maxine, he was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty Milroy; three half-sisters, Frances Snodgrass, Marjorie Kulie, and Geraldine Burkhalter; and one half-brother, Gerald Burkhalter.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2022 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Darrell Grimm will officiate. Burial will be at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to New Life Baptist Church. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
