Raymond John Lurch, Sr.

Raymond John Lurch, Sr., U.S. Navy retired and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away quietly among family and friends at his home in Carlisle on July 10, 2012 after a long illness. He was born June 7th, 1944 in Allentown, NJ, and graduated Freehold Regional High School in 1962. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving with honor and diligence in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Jacksonville, FL; and Lakehurst, NJ as a Crew Chief on hurricane-hunter aircraft and helicopters.
He served in the Navy for 6 l/2 years, but then retired due to an injury. He later moved with his family to Freehold, NJ and attended Monmouth College in West Long Branch, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree. The family then moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1973, where Ray earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of New Mexico in 1976. He then worked for the Veterans Administration helping veterans get the benefits they deserved.
In 1979, the family moved to Carlisle, where Ray pursued research into WWII history at the Army War College. He also produced fine furniture in his woodworking shop.
Ray is survived by his wife of 47 years, Victoria Lurch; a daughter, Jeanette (Lurch) Morris, her husband Ernest, and their children: Justin, Nathan, and Mackenzie Morris all of Newville; also a son, Raymond, Jr., his wife Annette, and their children: Jacqueline and Devon Lurch all of Seminole, FL; two sisters: Kathryn Brandt of Salisbury, CT and Mary Mahoney of Marlboro, NJ; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Dorretta Lurch, two brothers and one sister.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2012 at Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 219 North Hanover Street, Carlisle with Rev. Chuck Dunkle officiating. Burial will be in Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle. A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 12, 2012 and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to: Asera Care Hospice 75 South Houcks Road, Suite 101 Harrisburg, PA 17109.
To sign the guest book visit www.hoffmanroth.com.