Raymond F. Prosser, Sr.

Mr. Raymond F. Prosser, Sr., 85, of Gulfport, MS, died Thursday, January 11, 2007, in Gulfport. Ray was born in Hitchman, Kansas, January 22, 1921, and grew up in Mt. Angel, Oregon. He had been a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 53 years. He served in the U. S. Army Air Force during WW II and was a member of the American Legion, Post 139, in Bay St. Louis for over 50 years. Ray was in the auto parts business and owned Prosser Motor Supply in Gulfport. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 7910, in Gulfport. Ray was an avid ham radio operator, using call letters WA5UOD. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Grace Williamson Prosser; his children, Lynne Rawls and her husband, Vance, Karen Bermond of Nashville, TN, Patricia Griffin and her husband, Robert, of Metairie, LA, and Raymond Fredrick Prosser, Jr. of Poplarville; sisters, Elaine Christenson of Lacey, WA, and Dorothy Beyer and her husband, Alcuin, of Salem, OR; brother, James Prosser and his wife, Agnes, of Woodburn, OR; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12290 Depew Road, Gulfport, MS, where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12290 Depew Road, Gulfport, MS 39503. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, in Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements.