Raymond P. McGee

Living Life to the Fullest with Family and Friends

We can’t begin to express the sorrow of Raymond McGee’s transition from his borrowed life into his mom’s open arms and our Heavenly Father Whom Art in Heaven. His contagious laugh will live on with all the angels who have preceded us.

-It’s Time to Come Home-

     Attention all, Raymond’s missions accomplished! He was told his days were numbered. He fought for his life till Easter Sunday when he said, “God’s will be done.” His days of worldly travel and negotiations as an Organizer, have come to a halt.  For, he accepted an offer that required no negotiation. One with unimaginable, heavenly perks and benefits which include seeing his dad whom he hasn’t seen since he was nine years old.  None of the places he traveled, the parties he attended, the people he met, can compare to his ultimate destination, of heaven on April 17, 2023, at 3:55 AM.

    May 5, 1965, through the union of Willie McGee and Shirley Smith, they were blessed with a son who would travel worldwide blessing people he met with jokes, laughter, and love.  Raymond was the baby of seven children and because he grew up without his father, his sisters, not his mom, spoiled him every chance they got.  

     Spiritual… At an early age, Raymond was baptized at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church where he was a tithing member up to his last breath.  He sang in the male choir and there was nothing he would not do for the members of his church or his Pastor.  He would tell other Chaplains that visited him, Pastor Childs knew his bible and was his spiritual mentor. 

     Family….  Raymond loved his family more than life itself. Everyone knew he was a Mama’s boy, for no matter who he dated, New Year's Eve, the Blossom Parade, the 4th of July, and many church Sundays were dedicated to his mother unless one of his siblings stepped in. According to Raymond, he had the most beautiful sisters and nieces in the world. His brothers and nephews and cousins were very important to him.  Being the only brother in Michigan, Raymond acted like a father to his sisters, which was appreciated.  The kids in his neighborhood wanted to hang out with him because he was a kid himself.  Today they too are mourning his loss.

     Childhood…According to Raymond, he had the most amazing childhood anyone could ask for. Four sisters that catered to him literally, friends he met at Union Park when he was 9 years old became and are still his brothers right today.  There was bowling every Saturday morning, basketball/baseball at Union.  There was no racism, no financial disparities between them, just plain old sports, laughter, and fun.  Of course, there were fights, but you had to put on a pair of boxing gloves for that, no matter how you were dressed.

     Education…Raymond attended Benton Harbor Area Schools.  While in fifth grade, at Sterne Brunson, Raymond left class to attend S.O.A.R., a special program for students that excelled academically.  It was during that year he was in the top 3% of the nation in math.  His brothers were constantly reminded of that whenever Raymond got a chance.  He was a very proud Graduate of the class of 1983 which seemed to fly by because he was having so much fun.  He and his Union Park brothers’ lasting accomplishments were left behind.  Like the creation of the Boys Club, the Madrigals Choir winning state championship, prom night, homecoming, and of course graduation. Now 40 years later a promise they made and kept- The Union Park boys are still brothers to this day.

     Employment…Raymond entered the Labors Construction field which he loved in 1990. While traveling to numerous nuclear plants around the United States he met an array of people that felt blessed to work with him. Let him tell it, sometimes he forgot he was at work because the laughter was contagious.  Now his work ethics were top notch. For he felt it was the younger laborers’ responsibility to allow the old heads’ (as he called them), to perform easy jobs, while the younger Laborers’ climbed scaffold, carried heavy items, and took the elevated jobs.  One day he knew he would want the same for himself.    

     Is this work? In 2017, Raymond became a Great Lakes Regional Organizer. There his co-workers seemed to be comedians, which was right us his alley.  He used to say, it does not feel like I am working for we really have so much fun.  Someone is always making a joke out of nothing, scoring on one another, or just staring at each other to see who laughs first. During all that laughter, he became one of the best organizers in his region.

   Ray leaves to cherish loving memories…Tiffany Greaves (whom he helped raise) of Washington, DC, three sisters, Susan Roseman and Julia Turner of Benton Harbor, MI., Cynthia (Vaughan) Stevens of Grand Rapids, MI; a brother Milton McGee, nieces, aunts, nephews, cousins, and friends. He also leaves his second mother, Mrs. Dora Robinson, whom he loved dearly, and a special friend, Elizabeth Harmon.

  Also, to commemorate his memory are the Union Park Brothers’ Rodney Neal, Kenny Jackson, Michael Brock, Ernie Robinson, Dale McCauley, Pastor Jerry Bishop, Aderia Coleman, and Dino Mitchell. In addition, there are his 30+ years spiritual friend Bishop Anthony King (Rock Hill, SC).

     Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Willie McGee and Shirley Brent, a brother, Willie McGee Jr., a sister, Stella McGee, Grandparents, Milton and Irma Smith, Pearl McGee, two Nephews, Baby ‘Tony Bailey’ and Larry Jay Clabin Jr.

     Medical Team…Raymond received five-star treatment at John Hopkins Hospital, under the leadership of Dr. Nilofer Azad, Rachel Klien, NP, and their medical staff, and for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Raymond, you are irreplaceable and surely missed!

The family wishes not to have any flowers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

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