Carolyn Marie Raymond

Tom and Carolyn Raymond Tommy Ray Raymond, 68, and Carolyn Marie (née LaFond) Raymond, 68, of Loma, Colorado, passed away suddenly on June 29, 2024, in an auto accident in Avon, Colorado.

Tom was born in Fruita, Colorado, on February 29, 1956, to William "Bill" and Renata Raymond. He was the second of three siblings: Jerri Inman, and Donald [Marie] Raymond, both of Loma. While attending Fruita Monument High School in the 1970s, he met his bride of 49 years, Carolyn. Carolyn was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, February 3, 1956, to Marlin and Irene LaFond. She was the oldest of five siblings: Rene Hixson (Fruita), Becky [Nick] Ottman (Fruita), Sheri LaFond (Grand Junction, Colo.), and Joseph (Fruita). She and her family moved to the Fruita area in 1972. The two were married on January 18, 1975, and were blessed with three children they adored: Paul (Loma), Stephanie [Jason] Thompson (Aurora, Colo.), and Wendy [Eric] Miller (Bigfork, Montana). They were preceded in death by Tom's father, Bill, Carolyn's parents, Marlin and Irene, and their grandson, Dakota Miller.

During the early years of their marriage, both worked at Raymond Dairy. While they were raising their children, Carolyn volunteered for many years as a boy scout leader. After his father's retirement, Tom and Carolyn owned and operated Raymond Farms in Loma.

Tom and Carolyn were the center of a vibrant rural community. They would have done anything for anybody at any time. If Tom was awake, he was likely to be found having coffee, talking on the phone, or sitting alongside the road in his gator, checking in and chatting with a multitude of family and friends. While they were close with their friends, it was their grandchildren, Kelsey, Tabitha, Dylan, Shianne, Kyliegh, and Evan, that gave them their greatest joy. Carolyn loved spending time with them playing cards, planting flowers, gardening, and baking. Their family and community deeply grieves their loss.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Northeast Christian Church in Grand Junction, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the Tom and Carolyn Memorial Fund has been established at Alpine Bank in Grand Junction.