Raymond Anthony Marage

Raymond Anthony Marage, 60, passed away on Sunday May 15, 2016 at his home in Mineral Bluff, Georgia.

After graduation from high school in 1973, he enlisted in the Navy. During his military career spanning 25 years, his enlisted rank went as far as Master Chief. He then applied for Limited Duty Officer (LDO) as an Aviation Mechanic Officer, and Ray continued to rise in the ranks from LDO Jr. Grade to LDO Lieutenant. During his career, Ray was in combat zones in Kuwait and the Persian Gulf (Desert Storm/Desert Shield) and had a total of 5 deployments. During Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Ray managed the maintenance flight deck squadron control for the S3 aircraft. The S3 was important during the war for its long range surveillance and radar.

After the Gulf War, Ray was sent to Virginia to Nav/Air Acquisitions as Project Manager for the S3 and P3 aircraft. His last military assignment was in Ottawa, Canada as Deputy Director for the P3 aircraft that were flown by the Canadian Navy. Ray retired from the Navy at the end of his tour in Canada, in 1997.

During his military career, Ray received a number of prestigious awards: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Award, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Battle E, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, CG Meritorious Unit Commendation w/Operational Distinguishing Device, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Ray then entered the civilian world and continued to work in the realm of aircraft. Before retiring from Lockheed Martin-Marietta, he was a Senior Manager for the F-22 and F-35 fighter jets project. Ray continued to study throughout his military and civilian careers and he achieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Raymond was preceded in death by his mother, Emilie T. Cunha Marage and father, Manuel O. Marage. Ray is survived by his loving wife Mary of Mineral Bluff, GA, his daughter Katie Marage of Florence, Kentucky, sisters Annette Baran of Tom's River, NJ and Gail Schierloh of North Brunswick, NJ, one niece and three nephews.

Funeral Services are being held at Cochran Funeral Home: 3911 Appalachian Highway, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706-632-5968). Visitation services are scheduled from 6:00-9:00 pm on Wednesday, May 18th. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, May 19th at 9:15 am, and burial will take place at 1:30 pm at the Georgia National Cemetery: 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA 30114 (770-479-9300).