Raymond Zippel

Raymond Zippel , 90, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed peacefully on Saturday, September 10, 2022.  Ray went to be with the Lord and reunite with his beloved wife Sharon, who passed three months prior, whom he broken heartedly missed.

Raymond was born on October 25, 1931, to Emil and Sophie Zippel in Detroit, Michigan.  He was the youngest of five siblings and grew up in Hollister, Florida.

At the age of 16, Ray enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years aboard the USS Gardiners Bay and the USS Antietam until honorably discharged in 1952.  Following his military service, Ray was employed by General Motors, locomotive division, for 35 years.

Raymond married his wife Sharon in 1953 and raised their six children in Jacksonville, Florida.  Ray actively focused on coaching many of his children’s baseball and softball teams for 20 years.  Ray had a passion making wooden toys, constructing playground equipment and a much-loved treehouse for his family.  He was a regular at many local craft shows, such as Christmas in the South.

He was a Father, Grand Father & Great-Grand Father who was admired by all.

Raymond is survived by his children; Lynn McCarthy (Nelson), David Zippel, Debra Carter, Randolph Zippel (Jane), Larry Zippel (Teri), Lori Willard (David), 14 grandchildren and 12 great and great-great grandchildren as well as several niece & nephews.  Ray was preceded in death, just three months prior, by his loving wife, Sharon, his parents Emil and Sophie Zippel, all his siblings and a Grandson Eric Zippel.

Following cremation, a private family celebration of life will be held Friday, October 1 ^st , 2022.