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Raymond Peter Skloss, age 89 of China Grove, passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021. He was born on August 10, 1931, in Cestohowa, Texas, to Henry and Albina (Hahn) Skloss. He attended St. Gerard Catholic School in San Antonio, then moved with the family as a teenager to the Rio Grande Valley for a short time. Upon returning to San Antonio in the late 1940s, he worked as a mechanic at Schaeffer’s Garage until he joined the US Navy in January 1950. He was a decorated Korean War veteran, proudly serving aboard the USS Gunston Hall and the USS Bushnell. Shortly after his return to the States, Raymond met the love of his life, Shirley Schmid, and they married at St. Jerome Catholic Church in August 1956, where he had been a member since. They lived in San Antonio for a short time, then moved to Martinez where they lived for 40 years until building a home on the Schmid family farm in Converse, before eventually settling in China Grove. Raymond retired from Longhorn Portland Cement Company in 1987 after 32 years, enjoying monthly luncheons with the Longhorn retirees until Alzheimer’s disease robbed him of that pleasure. Known for his witty personality, Raymond never knew a stranger. He was an avid deer hunter, spending many seasons at the deer lease with family and friends. He loved racing of all kinds, especially drag racing and NASCAR, had a lot of good times playing couples bunco with close friends, and enjoyed many gambling trips to Coushatta and dances at Martinez Social Club with his wife. He especially loved boating and water skiing, spending countless fun summers with family friends, mostly at Lakes McQueeney, LBJ, and Buchanan. He was so proud of his boats that he’d cruise the lakes looking for someone to race. Raymond was a member of St. Hedwig American Legion Post #539 and the St. Jerome Men’s Club. He was preceded in death by his parents; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Rita Skloss; and sister, Dorothy Jarzombek. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Shirley (Schmid) Skloss; daughter, Gail Lampman (Warren); son, Larry Skloss (Wyann); grandsons, Chad Skloss, Adam Lampman (Heather), Jordan Skloss, and Dalton Lampman; great-granddaughter, Savannah Lampman; brothers, Phil Skloss, Herman Skloss (Carol), and Leroy Skloss; sister, Henrietta LeSage; numerous nieces and nephews, other loving family members, and many friends. Visitation will be held at St. Jerome Catholic Church on Monday, February 8, 2021, from 9-10 a.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m., with Father Scott Janysek officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stjeromesatx.org/. CDC protocols will be enforced including social distancing and face coverings worn by all those in attendance. Serving as pallbearers will be Chad Skloss, Adam Lampman, Jordan Skloss, Dalton Lampman, Charlie Dugosh, and Randy Riedel. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Alois Skloss and Gerald Miller. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Frank M. Tejeda State Veterans Home, Kindred Hospice, Visiting Angels, and Brookdale Hospice for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Raymond Peter Skloss

August 10, 1931 - January 29, 2021