Ray Shoemaker

Honest, dependable, and protective, Raymond Shoemaker was a man who truly embodied all things good. Never one to cut corners, Ray was disciplined and dependable and always ensured he did everything the right way. He embodied the principles he believed in. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Ray will long be remembered and so very missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1939 held much to celebrate. Packard debuted the first air-conditioned automobile, the World’s Fair in New York shaped America’s vision for the future, and John Wayne starred in “Stagecoach” which was a smashing success for the Western movie genre. Nowhere was there more hope and reason to celebrate than in Howard City, Indiana, as the Shoemakers welcomed home their son Ray on February 7.

The middle of the five Shoemaker kids, Ray, grew up in the good company of his siblings, Larry, Jerry, Pat, and Mary. Ray's mother was a homemaker and skilled crocheter. His father could do just about anything. Ray enjoyed going to the YMCA and taking his little sister Pat to ballroom dance lessons. Fiercely protective of his family, when Pat returned home after walking through the neighborhood and reported that a neighbor boy shot her with a BB gun, Ray took care of the situation and never bothered Pat again.

Ray was naturally mechanically minded and loved doing things with his hands. While a student at Horace Mann High School, he became one of the few people who could run the school's film projectors. After graduating with the class of 1957, Ray joined the Air Force. During Ray's four years of active service and 27 years in the reserves, he worked as a communications specialist and was a lifetime member of the Air Force Sergent’s Association. Among his duties was intercepting messages from the Soviets. Ray's lifelong love for his country was evident in both his service and his patriotism.

While at the bowling alley, Ray had the good fortune of first meeting his future wife, Sharon. Though they went their separate ways for a couple of months, they met each other again at a New Year's Eve party. Their relationship blossomed, and the couple married in 1972, officially beginning their more than fifty-year adventure together.

For more than thirty of those years, Ray worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors at the plant on Sprinkle Road, from the day it opened until almost when it plant closed 30 years later. Once Ray retired, he and Sharon embarked on a new adventure together and moved on to a houseboat. They docked in St. Joseph, Michigan, and moved on the water down to Tennessee for a time. Upon seeing an article from a friend about a new marina in Fulton, Mississippi, they moved their home to a new dock at the marina. For over twenty-three years, Ray enjoyed many good times with the friends he made on the docks, only recently returning to Kalamazoo in 2020.

When they were younger he and Sharon went bowling with friends every week. In his later years he enjoyed watching old black and white Westerns and classics like The Lone Ranger and Zorro. His favorite genre of movies and books was science fiction and his all time favorite movie was Forbidden Planet. He loved his time on their boat, the SHOEBOX. Morning game shows were a staple as well as his indulgence of Little Debbie Snacks. A wonderful husband, Sharon will surely miss Ray's sense of humor and steadfast companionship.

As we celebrate Ray's life, may we find much comfort in our many memories of the man we were so blessed to know. May we also find comfort in carrying his legacy forward. In each moment we choose to live truthfully, be of service, do the right things the right way, enjoy a Little Debbie or classic show, and say "Yes!" to adventure with our beloved, we keep Ray's memory alive and inspiring others as he inspired each of us.

Raymond Shoemaker of Kalamazoo, age 86, died on April 20, 2025. Surviving is his wife, Sharon; children, James Shoemaker and Todd Shoemaker; grandchildren, Mychailla ,Raymond, Matthew and Tanner; siblings, Larry Shoemaker, Jerry (Gail) Shoemaker, Pat Reed, and Mary (Bob) Dorman; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 5-7 pm at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Celebrate Ray's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.