Raymond Carson Obituary Raymond Troy Carson, Jr. died in his home of 56 years on May 31, 2024. He was overlooking the water and at peace when he took his last breath. Mr. Carson was born in Cherryvale, KS on April 3, 1936, the son of Raymond Troy Carson Sr, and Leora Junken Carson. Mr. Carson spent the majority of his life living in Portsmouth and Chesapeake VA. He attended Cradock High School and graduated in 1954, being named by his classmates as "Best All Around" in class superlatives. After graduation, Mr. Carson attended Wake Forest University, where he played First Base for the Demon Deacons for three years before leaving to play Minor League Baseball. When realizing he wasn't going to make it to the major leagues, Mr. Carson, returned to Old Dominion University to finish his college degree in physical education. Mr. Carson met his wife, Cynthia Benham, a teacher, at the Circle Restaurant in 1963. They were married July 31,1965. The Carson's enjoyed helping with the youth at their church, tennis with their friends and their homes in Nags Head during their marriage. They remained best friends and true partners until his death last Friday. Mr. Carson's last words were to tell his wife, "You are Beautiful. " Mr. Carson began his teaching career at Cradock High School where he taught and coached with a passion for all sports; but, especially basketball. In 1972, Mr. Carson was offered an opportunity by Art Jones to be an administrator and coach basketball at Nansemond Suffolk Academy. He remained at NSA until he retired from education in 1997. While at NSA, Mr. Carson taught, coached, worked in admission and was the Head of the Lower School. In 1998, after finding retirement less than satisfying, Mr. Carson and his wife Cynthia opened "Ray's Doghouse" in Portsmouth, VA. Ray's Doghouse became a local favorite where customers and friends came to have great food, good service, and sit at the bar to talk about the New York Yankees and Duke Blue Devils with Mr. Carson. Mr. Carson owned "Ray's" until 2021 when he again retired to ride his lawn mower and go to Nags Head more often. Despite his athleticism, good sense of humor, hard work, and being an all-around nice person, Mr. Carson is most widely known for his honorable character. He was the first person at your side to help and would never betray your trust. Friends could depend on him to be at the hospital to wish you a speedy recovery or hold your hand while you watched someone you love die. Mr. Carson had high expectations of himself and of others. He was impatient. He was a real person, who was humble and displayed humility with more interest in others than himself. He always took responsibility for his actions. Mr. Carson finished what he started. He was beloved by his students, players, faculty, staff, family and friends and will be missed by all. Mr. Carson was a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, VA since 1975. He and his wife Cynthia, had one daughter, Jody Carson Foley, whom he adored and loved unconditionally. He is predeceased by his father, Raymond T. Carson, Sr; his mother, Leora Carson, and his son-in-law, Joseph F. Foley. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia B. Carson; daughter, Jody Carson Foley; grandsons, Philip Joseph Foley and Kyle Raymond Foley, and grand-dog, Gandalf. The Carson family would like to express their immense gratitude to Gail Foley, Joanne Walker, Shikita Harmon and Elizabeth Hughes for their love, patience, sense of humor and care for Mr. Carson. A special thanks to Dr. Barbara Sarris for her unwavering support and medical expertise to the Carson Family. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Meadowbrook Memorial and Memorial Gardens in Suffolk, VA at 1 PM. R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, North Suffolk Chapel is serving the family. Memorial Contributions may be made to Nansemond Suffolk Academy in memory of Joby Foley or to the Raymond T. Carson Jr. Scholarship Fund c/o NSA to the NSA Office of Advancement, 3373 Pruden Boulevard Suffolk VA 23434. Obituary published on Legacy.com by R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory - Northern Suffolk Chapel on Jun. 3, 2024. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.rwbakerfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?searchNameRaymondCarson&page1 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/raymond-carson-obituary?id55252920 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Raymond Troy Carson, Jr., born 3 April 1936, in Cherryvale, KS, passed away on 31 May 2024. He lived in Portsmouth and Chesapeake, VA, and was a beloved teacher, coach, and community member. He is survived by his wife Cynthia, daughter Jody, and grandsons Philip and Kyle. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A graveside service for Raymond Troy Carson, Jr. was held on 6 June 2024 at Meadowbrook Memorial and Memorial Gardens in Suffolk, VA. R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, North Suffolk Chapel served the family. ### The Edited Obituary Raymond Troy Carson, Jr. died in his home of 56 years on 31 May 2024. He was overlooking the water and at peace when he took his last breath. Mr. Carson was born in Cherryvale, KS on 3 April 1936, the son of Raymond Troy Carson Sr. and Leora Junken Carson. Mr. Carson spent the majority of his life living in Portsmouth and Chesapeake, VA. He attended Cradock High School and graduated in 1954, being named by his classmates as "Best All Around" in class superlatives. After graduation, Mr. Carson attended Wake Forest University, where he played first base for the Demon Deacons for three years before leaving to play Minor League Baseball. When realizing he wasn't going to make it to the major leagues, Mr. Carson returned to Old Dominion University to finish his college degree in physical education. Mr. Carson met his wife, Cynthia Benham, a teacher, at the Circle Restaurant in 1963. They were married on 31 July 1965. The Carsons enjoyed helping with the youth at their church, tennis with their friends, and their homes in Nags Head during their marriage. They remained best friends and true partners until his death last Friday. Mr. Carson's last words were to tell his wife, "You are beautiful." Mr. Carson began his teaching career at Cradock High School, where he taught and coached with a passion for all sports, but especially basketball. In 1972, Mr. Carson was offered an opportunity by Art Jones to be an administrator and coach basketball at Nansemond Suffolk Academy. He remained at NSA until he retired from education in 1997. While at NSA, Mr. Carson taught, coached, worked in admission, and was the Head of the Lower School. In 1998, after finding retirement less than satisfying, Mr. Carson and his wife Cynthia opened "Ray's Doghouse" in Portsmouth, VA. Ray's Doghouse became a local favorite where customers and friends came to have great food, good service, and sit at the bar to talk about the New York Yankees and Duke Blue Devils with Mr. Carson. Mr. Carson owned "Ray's" until 2021 when he again retired to ride his lawn mower and go to Nags Head more often. Despite his athleticism, good sense of humor, hard work, and being an all-around nice person, Mr. Carson is most widely known for his honorable character. He was the first person at your side to help and would never betray your trust. Friends could depend on him to be at the hospital to wish you a speedy recovery or hold your hand while you watched someone you love die. Mr. Carson had high expectations of himself and of others. He was impatient. He was a real person, who was humble and displayed humility with more interest in others than himself. He always took responsibility for his actions. Mr. Carson finished what he started. He was beloved by his students, players, faculty, staff, family, and friends and will be missed by all. Mr. Carson was a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, VA since 1975. He and his wife Cynthia had one daughter, Jody Carson Foley, whom he adored and loved unconditionally. He is predeceased by his father, Raymond T. Carson, Sr.; his mother, Leora Carson; and his son-in-law, Joseph F. Foley. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia B. Carson; daughter, Jody Carson Foley; grandsons, Philip Joseph Foley and Kyle Raymond Foley; and grand-dog, Gandalf. The Carson family would like to express their immense gratitude to Gail Foley, Joanne Walker, Shikita Harmon, and Elizabeth Hughes for their love, patience, sense of humor, and care for Mr. Carson. A special thanks to Dr. Barbara Sarris for her unwavering support and medical expertise to the Carson family. A graveside service will be held on 6 June 2024 at Meadowbrook Memorial and Memorial Gardens in Suffolk, VA at 1 PM. R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, North Suffolk Chapel is serving the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Nansemond Suffolk Academy in memory of Joby Foley or to the Raymond T. Carson Jr. Scholarship Fund c/o NSA to the NSA Office of Advancement, 3373 Pruden Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23434. Obituary published on Legacy.com by R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory - Northern Suffolk Chapel on 3 June 2024. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Raymond Troy Carson, Jr. | |---------|------------------------------| | Age | 88 years | | Birth | 3 April 1936; Cherryvale, KS | | Death | 31 May 2024; Unknown | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-----------------------------|------------------------|----------------| | Raymond Troy Carson, Jr. | Decedent | Portsmouth, VA | | Cynthia B. Carson | Spouse | Unknown | | Raymond Troy Carson Sr. | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Leora Junken Carson | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Jody Carson Foley | Child | Unknown | | Philip Joseph Foley | Grandchild | Unknown | | Kyle Raymond Foley | Grandchild | Unknown | | Joseph F. Foley | Predeceased Son-in-law | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Raymond Troy Carson, Jr. was born on 3 April 1936 in Cherryvale, KS. 2. He spent the majority of his life living in Portsmouth and Chesapeake, VA. 3. Mr. Carson graduated from Cradock High School in 1954, where he was named "Best All Around." 4. He attended Wake Forest University and played first base for the Demon Deacons for three years. 5. After realizing he would not reach the major leagues, he completed his degree in physical education at Old Dominion University. 6. Mr. Carson began his teaching career at Cradock High School, where he taught and coached various sports, particularly basketball. 7. In 1972, he became an administrator and basketball coach at Nansemond Suffolk Academy, where he worked until his retirement in 1997. 8. In 1998, he and his wife opened "Ray's Doghouse" in Portsmouth, which became a local favorite. 9. Mr. Carson was known for his honorable character and was a dependable friend and mentor to many. 10. He was a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, VA since 1975. ### Publication Details | Place | Name | Date | |---------|-------------------------------------------|-------------| | Unknown | R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory | 3 June 2024 |