Raymond Boyd Isaacs

Raymond Boyd Isaacs, first son of Joe C. and Genevieve A. (Harrison) Isaacs, was born on his father’s birthday, Christmas Day, 1931. He was raised with his brothers, Richard and Harold, on the family ranch on Avance Road outside of Faith, South Dakota. In some of Raymond’s final days he told stories of putting up hay with their team of horses, Buck and Duke.
    Raymond enlisted in the Army in January 1951, where he trained as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division. When Raymond was honorably discharged in January 1954 in Fort Campbell, KY, he made a trade with another soldier who was just shipping out and got an Aeronca Champ airplane. With only brief flight instruction, Raymond got into the Champ and flew it back home to South Dakota using only his watch, a compass, the altimeter, and a map. When he needed fuel, he landed on the highway at the edge of a town and taxied up to a gas pump at the local filling station.
     Raymond married Mary May Hall in 1958 and they had two sons, Alvin and Dean. Raymond supported his family by farming and trucking for the numerous ranchers in and around Faith. In 1998 Raymond married Diane Miles, and he continued to farm and drive truck until his health began to decline in his ‘80’s.
    Raymond died at the age of 86 on June 10, 2018 at Fort Meade Medical Center, Fort Meade, SD, after a long illness. Those who knew Raymond best will not be surprised to learn that he left this world at 5:50 a.m., as he was always one to get things done first thing in the morning.
    Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Genevieve, and by his great-grandson Mason James Peterson. He is survived by his wife, Diane; his sons, Alvin (Nellie) Isaacs and Dean (Susan) Isaacs; four grandchildren, Shawn Fischer, Brian Berglund, David Isaacs, and Joshua Isaacs; three great-grandsons, Parker Peterson and Dawson Peterson, and Tace Berglund; his brothers, Richard (Barb) Isaacs and Harold (Jeannie) Isaacs; and numerous nieces and nephews.
    Funeral arrangements are through Black Hills Funeral Home, 1440 Junction Ave., Sturgis, SD. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13. Graveside rites will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 14.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
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