Raymond R. VanderWall, born in Grand Rapids, Mich., on June 2, 1925, went to his eternal home on January 20, 2015, where he was greeted by his wife of 62 years, Mary.

There will be a celebration of life memorial on Saturday, Jan. 24, at East Gadsden Presbyterian Church. Visitation is from 2 to 3 p.m. with the service at 3.

He was a World War II Veteran, having seen combat while serving with the US Navy. He was a very talented artist (commercial artist by trade) and worked for NASA on the Redstone Arsenal for many years and retired from Pratt-Whitney.

Everyone can tell you he lived his life to the fullest. He went skydiving on his 87th and 89th birthdays. He loved fishing and was an avid cyclist and continued riding up to 12 miles a day, weather permitting.

Ray was a member of East Gadsden Presbyterian Church where he was an usher and Sunday school teacher. He also served the Lord faithfully at the Way of the Cross soup kitchen and delivered MANNA.

There is no doubt that he was greeted in Heaven by the words "Well done my good and faithful servant."

He is survived by a daughter, Shannon Dean (husband, Jack); granddaughters, Ashley Holt, Shelley Reeves, and Laura Reed; great-granddaughters, Taylor Holt and Kaylee-Beth Reeves and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Way of the Cross, P.O. Box 7172, Rainbow City, AL; 35906
or
MANNA, P.O. Box 1623, Gadsden, AL 35902.
Family will receive friends at the church from 2 pm until the hour of service.