Ronnie was born at home in McHenry, KY to Rondal and Adah (Cricket) Barnard Raymond on February 1st, 1943. He was the oldest of five siblings, with two sisters and two brothers: Sue McKee (Jim), Sharron Roach (Augustine), Dokie, and Reggie. Ronnie and Janet Lou Marlow were married on December 30, 1962, and were married for 62 years at the time of his passing on May 14th, 2025. He was lovingly cared for by Hospice of Western Kentucky at Heartford House, a week before dying of congestive heart failure.
Ronnie enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and uncles, Clarence and Herman. Basketball was a constant in his life. He was an outstanding player on the Beaver Dam Beavers team in high school, where he held the school’s hook-shot record until its closing. He was a fan of the UK Wildcats and especially enjoyed the years he got to attend the games with Phillip Henning, and “Big Blue Nation”. Our family enjoyed boating at Rough River Lake with Kenny Baughn’s family. He took numerous motorcycle trips with friends and had some special times for seven years horseback riding at Eaton’s Ranch in Wyoming, A highlight of his motorcycle trips was a ride down the Pacific Coast. He was employed at Green River Steel for 21 years and was president of the United Steelworkers of America at local 4959 at the time of the mill’s closing. Ronnie led the efforts through the strikes of the 80’s and ensured everyone got their pensions locked in after the mill closed. Ronnie was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church where he was a life group teacher. He was of strong faith until his passing, having no doubt or fear of what awaited him in Heaven. Ronnie took his benefits experience from the union and entered the insurance business in 1986. He was a business partner with John Worth and Calvin Gilbreath at John Worth and Associates where he specialized in life and health benefits for businesses and individuals. He made a name for himself in group health insurance and Medicare, and was well respected among his colleagues. Ronnie later founded Stonebridge Insurance Services, Inc. where he eventually became sole owner. In doing so he provided the mold for his children to continue in his footsteps of offering full insurance needs to their clients, with the idea that no person should go without health insurance, no matter the situation. His two sons continue to operate the business to this day. Ronnie and Janet were blessed with two sons, Robert Bartley Raymond and Richard Harrison Raymond, and a daughter, Susan Jane Raymond. Ronnie always was empathetic and loving of all his family, always there to listen and provide counsel through the years to any who needed him. Ronnie’s son Robert married Ann Berry Rushing Raymond and provided his sole grandson, John (Jack) Bartley Raymond. Ann Berry is an especially loving family member and an accomplished physical therapist. Rob is also a professional sports photographer, and Ronnie was able to see his son on the floor of his favorite college basketball team, during the last year of his life. He is especially proud of his grandson Jack who has become well developed in AI Programming. His son, Richard, was blessed to spend the last year in service of Ronnie’s health needs as they grew more demanding, and his wife Janet stayed by his side through everything, ensuring Ronnie got to spend his final days in his home with her and their Australian Shepherd Daisy.
A private memorial service will be held to honor Ronnie’s memory.
Care entrusted to Cardinal Cremation Society.