Raymond Dungey

With a journey that spanned times of conflict and peace, plenty and want, grief and so much joy, Raymond Dungey was a warm, solid presence in the lives of all who were lucky enough to know and love him. He was a constant source of strength and encouragement, and as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he went above and beyond to care for his family and friends. Dearly missed, Raymond will be forever loved and remembered by those who knew him best.

The late 1930s are remembered as difficult years for many, all around the world. Overseas, tensions surrounding WWII continued to escalate. Here at home in the United States, the Great Depression was still very much a heavy weight on the shoulders of Americans. During such tumultuous times, it was more important than ever to find moments worthy of celebration in everyday life and nowhere was there more happiness to be found than in the household of Mason and Edith Dungey. Living in Allegan, Michigan, the couple were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new baby. On November 12 of 1937, their wait came to an end at last, and Mason and Edith welcomed their son, Raymond, into their arms.

In many ways, Raymond enjoyed the typical childhood of his generation. His father supported the family by working for the city of Kalamazoo while his mother cared for everyone at home and picked up small jobs, as time allowed. Raymond was one of four Dungey children, and he was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Pricilla, Robert “Chuck,” and Darlene. From a young age, Raymond spent a lot of his time outdoors and from all accounts could be labeled as a “runner”. For a time, the Dungey family made their home in Battle Creek, Michigan. Ray often spoke of his time there and his most outstanding memory being a delivery man who would leave them sodas and donuts every day after school. That man’s kindness was not lost to Ray. Even as a fun-loving boy, Raymond and the kids he hung out with were well loved by their community. He grew to be a levelheaded and responsible young man.

Raymond quickly learned the importance of a strong work ethic, seeing those same values modeled by his parents. While living in Allegan, Raymond did some summer work for a local farmer, whose wife would provide amazing home-cooked meals. Each Friday, the farmer would fill up his truck with gas, and hand Ray the keys so he could go hang out where the action was in Gobles or Bloomingdale. The most surprising thing here is that Raymond was just 15 at the time! His Uncle Joe owned a parcel of land in Arkansas, and Ray was able to spend a summer working with him. Whenever the kids came down to work for him, Uncle Joe would cover the cost of anything they needed or wanted at the local store, which Ray thought was super cool.

Raymond attended Kalamazoo Central High School, balancing his studies with a job at RCA TV’s. He went on to graduate in 1955. Ray held several other jobs including being a pinsetter at the Silver Star Roller Rink / Bowling Alley and at Sears as a vehicle seat cover installer, before he began his career with the USPS, around 1958.

Determined to succeed in whatever he put his mind to, Raymond earned his 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo studying under his roommate at the time, Grand Master Chung of Chung’s Martial Arts in Mattawan. Throughout the 1970s, Kimberly Weismann fondly recalls attending Taekwondo demonstrations by Ray and Grand Master Chung, with her siblings, Karin and Kevin, and eventually studied under Master Chung herself, as an adult. Raymond played an influential role in the lives of the Stafford children throughout their formative years, for which they are grateful.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Raymond as he met the woman who would forever on hold the key to his heart. Her name was Nora Magner, and the two first met working at the Kalamazoo Post Office on Miller Road. Raymond worked in Dispatching while Nora worked in the Personnel office. As they started getting to know each other during breaks, he learned that she needed some help with a project at home, building a doghouse. He immediately offered help and their relationship blossomed from there. In 1989, Raymond and Nora were united in marriage. The newlyweds then enjoyed a honeymoon to the Agawa Canyon Tour Train in Ontario, Canada.

Raymond retired from the USPS at the age of 55 but felt the pull to continue working as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for the next 18 years. He was passionate about this cause and even traveled with a team to work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Of all the things Raymond loved in life, his family was undoubtedly his greatest treasure. He and Nora made their family their primary focus. Raymond led his children by example, showing them exactly what it meant to serve his loved ones with humility and care. Nora loved her house too much to sell it when they needed more space, so Raymond renovated the house to add more room. In a few short years, Ray was thrilled to become a grandfather to Miranda, Jessica, Spencer, Clark, Morgan, and Kenzington. Raymond adored his grandkids. He and Nora enjoyed hosting family and friends at their place on the Muskegon River in Newaygo for tubing.

Raymond thrived in his role as great-grandfather to his precious Gwendolyn and Olivia and felt very blessed to spend time with them in his last days on earth.

Outside of work, one of Raymond’s biggest passions in life was fishing. He enjoyed fishing with Nora and for many years traveled to Maumee, Ohio, with son-in-law, Randy, for walleye fishing with his old buddy, Lupe. Ray liked working with his hands. So many people have woodworking projects or home improvement projects that include Ray’s handiwork. He loved all the cured meats and was known for his insatiable sweet tooth, a trait he shared with his granddaughter, Morgan.

When reflecting on the life of Raymond Dungey, it is easy to see both his unwavering generosity and his unconditional love for all who he held close. He was a powerful role model in the lives of many, and as the steadfast foundation of his family, he cherished his loved ones above all else. Although he is already so greatly missed, Raymond leaves behind a priceless legacy of kindness and strength that his friends and family will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Raymond Dungey, Age 88, died on June 14, 2026. Raymond was born November 12, 1937 in Allegan, MI to Mason and Edith (Salters) Dungey. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Pricilla (Fred) Miller, Robert “Chuck” Dungey, and Darlene Dungey, and stepdaughter Kelly Marie (Peck) Rowland.

Surviving are his wife of 36 years, Nora (Magner) Dungey; children, Kimberly (Randy) Day, Dorene (Roger) Zoscsak, Kimberly (Stafford) Weissmann, Karin (Stafford) Bird, Kevin Stafford; grandchildren: Miranda (Adam) Gilbert, Jessica Weissmann, Spencer (Autumn) Rowland, Clark (Hannah) Rowland, Morgan Day and Whitney Bare, and Kenzington Bird; great grandchildren: Gwendolyn and Olivia; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Service on Friday July 10 at 11:00 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story center where food, drinks, and stories can be shared.

Celebrate Raymond’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity.