Raymond FLORY

24 JUN 1930 - 7 OCT 2022

• BIRTH: 24 JUN 1930, Logansport, Cass, IN
• DEATH: 7 OCT 2022, St Joseph County, IN

• MARRIAGE: 7 JUL 1962, St Joseph County, IN

1.  Ryan FLORY
2.  Aron FLORY
3.  John FLORY

INDEX

[N33318] Raymond J. Flory
June 24, 1930 ~ October 7, 2022 (age 92)

At 7:14 pm on Friday, October 7, 2022, Raymond John Flory, loving husband and proud father of three sons, left this world for his Heavenly home following a brief illness. Ray was 92 years old and was a longtime South Bend resident. Ray was born on June 24, 1930, in Logansport Indiana, where he spent many boyhood summers with his grandparents. In his youth, Ray was witness to the famed Wabash Cannon Ball passenger steam train as it passed through Logansport. He graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1949 and supported Caveman football always. In 1951, Ray served in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge due to health issues. In 1958, Ray graduated from Northwest TV Schools, one of the first distance-learning programs of its kind. Ray enjoyed careers in drafting, insurance sales, and security. He was especially proud of his work for MetLife, the University of Notre Dame, and the South Bend Tribune. In later years, Ray was a volunteer at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and Ribbon of Hope. Ray was a gifted writer of short stories (as was his father, Joseph H. Flory) and poetry, and for 40 years was editor/publisher of Explorer, an inspirational poetry magazine. While in his 70s, Ray took up haiku at the Forever Learning Institute. He also dabbled in abstract watercolors. In addition to his creative pursuits, Ray’s interests included astronomy and science fiction. Ray was fascinated by steam locomotives, and shared this passion with his progeny, in visits to the Hesston Steam Museum, and by building several miniature train layouts with and for his children and grandchildren. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of sports and was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox and Notre Dame football. Ray loved his coffee and baked goods, especially donuts.But nothing was more important to Ray than faith, family, and country. A devout Catholic, he was an active member of Christ the King parish. Ray’s faith gave rise to a man who was humble, generous, kind, and accepting without limit. From 1962 to 1979, Ray married Dolores Borkowski, the mother of his three sons. He was a doting father and grandfather, who shared a childlike sense of humor with his boys and enjoyed movies and sporting events with his kids and grandkids. Lastly, he was a patriot, serving as a poll worker on election days. Ray is survived by his loving and caring wife, Dorothea, whom he married in 1981 and with whom he enjoyed travels to Europe and New Mexico. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Bang of Tennessee, and by sons John (Suzanne) of Warsaw, Aaron (Lori) of Mishawaka, and Ryan (Julie) of St. Louis. In addition, Ray is survived by five grandchildren, Nicholas (Shawn), Leah (Boniface), Oliver, Dashiell, and Meredith. Finally, he is survived by six step-children, six step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren, with two more expected, in addition to five nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Nellie Flory of Mishawaka, by a sister, Joy Rita Mueller of Dayton Ohio, and by a daughter-in-law, Kathy Flory of Rochester Indiana. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, IN 46628 from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm beginning with a Rosary. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Christ the King Church, 52473 S R 933, South Bend, IN on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Charitable donations may be made to the Forever Learning Institute or to the Center for Hospice Care. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.