Raymond Delmar Irving

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith. Henceforth there is a crown of righteousness laid up for me which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not me only but all of them but unto all of them also that love his appearing.”  ~ 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV) 

Raymond Delmar Irving

7-20-1949 / 6-14-2023

 This obituary shares the life and beliefs of Raymond Delmar Irving, a beloved Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Uncle. Mr. Irving was an honorable man that was a pillar of his community and a strong foundation for his family and friends. On the evening of June 14, 2023, the Lord sent his Angel to escort his servant home. He was 73 years old. Raymond Irving also affectionately known as “Poppy, Pops, Granddaddy Raymond, Ray, and Daddy Raymond” was born on July 20, 1949, in Washington, DC to Benjamin Franklin Irving and Dorothy Walke. He was the third of five children. Raymond came to know his Lord and Savior and dedicated his life to God while attending Capitol View Baptist Church in Washington, DC.

Raymond received his early education from DC public schools and further educated at Phelps Vocational School until he enlisted in the US Marine Corps on May 23, 1968. He received the rank of Corporal and served as a rifleman in the Vietnam War until he was combat wounded and honorably discharged. While serving his country he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device, the RVN Cross of Gallantry w/palm, a Vietnam Service Medal w/1*, a Combat Action Ribbon, 2 Purple Heart Medals and the Rifle Sharpshooters Badge. After returning home he proudly represented his country as a distinguished war Veteran.

In 1985, he met the love of his life, Ruth Foster-Irving. They married in October of 1986 and from that union his Baby Girl Rugina Irving was born.

As a very young man he learned to work hard and developed an uncompromising work ethic to support his family. Raymond worked for the U.S. Department of Treasury, and Fannie Mae Mortgage Corporation in Washington DC before moving to Oklahoma where he retired from the Craig County Detention Center in Vinita, OK as a supervisor in 2011.

Mr. Irving was known for his pristine dress appearance and trademark “Cowboy Boots” which made him stand out in a crowd! His favorite past time was watching Western movies.

He loved spending quality time with family and friends while sharing knowledge and encouraging the youth whom he would encounter. He was so passionate about mentoring that he began and Co-founded ‘Never Alone Ministries’ in Philadelphia, PA. When Mr. Irving was called to preach, he pursued his calling and became a licensed minister and performed many religious sermons.

Mr. Irving was a strong, proud, and confident man. Although he was diagnosed with a progressive case of Multiple Sclerosis in 2011, which he continued to battle over a 12-year period he continued to remain strong and vibrant and proved that his physical state was not a sign of weakness but more of strength and endurance.

 His life will be remembered as one rich in sharing, loving and caring. Raymond was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to all, and a man who would give his shirt off his back to anyone. Raymond was a good Husband, good father, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle who always took time to teach, guide, and instill positive values in each of them. He is loved and will be missed by many!

He is preceded in death by parents Benjamin Franklin and Dorothy Irving, his Siblings Joan Lewis, Anita Irving, Gary Irving his beloved Daughter Rugina Irving and Niece TerrI Newman.

Left to cherish his memories are his loving and devoted Wife Ruth Irving, Son Troy R Smith, Sr (Desiree), Grandchildren Zyaire Neal, Troy R. Smith, Jr, LaShuana Belay, Great Grand Children Nasir Belay, Olivia Bradley, his Younger Sister Jeanette Irving, Sisters-in-Law Tawanna Prince, Ruby Adams, Ann Dockins, Gerri Diggs (John), Sacorra Foster and Brother-in-Laws Carl Foster, Roy Foster, Oliver Foster, Jr (Monika) and a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved relatives and friends.