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Raymond D. Reich


Raymond D. Reich

Raymond Dale Reich was born Nov. 27, 1932, in Carlton (Hamilton County), Texas, to parents Gottleib John (G.J.) Reich and Bertha nee Nauert. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pottsville, Texas, on Jan. 15, 1933, by Rev. E.N. Zabels. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Grace Lutheran Church in Midland, Texas, by Rev. Gilbert C. Becker.

He graduated from Early High School in Early, Texas, and was in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He attended Daniel Baker College and received a degree from Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois, on June 6, 1958. His vicarage was spent at Our Savior Lutheran Church and then at First English Lutheran Church in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He was ordained into the Holy Ministry on Oct. 12, 1958, in his first parish, Zion Lutheran Church, Rockville, Missouri, and served there until 1962. He also served the following churches: Faith Lutheran Church, El Dorado Springs, Missouri, 1958-1962; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aleman (Hamilton), Texas, 1962-1974; First Lutheran Church, Gatesville, Texas, 1965-1974; Visitation pastor for the Gatesville State School for Boys, 1965-1974; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bishop, Texas, 1974-1982; Cross Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, Texas, 1982-1997; Vacancy pastor for congregations in Allan’s Chapel, Honey Grove, Texas; Kerrville, Texas; Alamo, Texas; and Uvalde, Texas from 1997-2000; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Uvalde, Texas, 2000-2006.

Rev. Reich has served the Texas District in various appointed offices and served as Circuit Counselor at various times throughout his years in the ministry.

On Aug. 10, 1957, he was married to the former Nora Alene Ryser of Honey Grove, Texas. They were married in St. James Lutheran Church in Allan’s Chapel, Honey Grove, Texas, by the Rev. Marcus Lange. To this union three children were born, two of them dying in infancy – Diane Lynn and Karen Ruth, and Janet Elaine Reich Moerbe, and three children being adopted – Philip Dale Reich, Nancy Gail Reich Muecke, and Jonathan Paul Reich.

He is survived by his children – Janet Moerbe and husband, Merle, of La Pryor, Texas, Philip Reich’s widow, Lisa, of Grandview, Texas, Nancy Muecke and husband, Curtis, of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Jonathan Reich of Uvalde, Texas; his grandchildren, Monica Atkinson and husband, Jeremy, Justin Moerbe and wife, Amy, Becky Walker and husband, Rob, Andrew Reich and wife, Tammy, Brandee Grier and husband, Ethan, Raymond C. Reich, Matthew Muecke, and Katie Muecke; his great-grandchildren, Colton and Ashlyn Atkinson, Addyson, Braxton and Callison Moerbe, Ryan Walker, Jaden Carroll, Kassandra and Leland Reich, Lethan Grier, and Christian Muecke; three brothers, Monroe Reich and wife, Betty, of Grande Saline, Texas, Norman Reich and wife, Jean, of Brownwood, Texas, and Albert Reich and wife, Sandy, of Red Oak, Iowa; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Rev. Reich was preceded in death by his wife, Nora Alene Reich; son, Philip Dale Reich; two infant daughters, Diane Lynn and Karen Ruth; parents, G.J. and Bertha Reich; and brother, Leroy Reich.

He passed away at Uvalde Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center under the short period of care by hospice at the age of 84. He was a strong man who battled a heart attack in 1996, a stroke in 2006, pancreatitis in 2014, and then pneumonia and an undiagnosed form of cancer in March 2017. However, the Lord had a plan for him and helped him overcome those ailments before being succumbed by terminal cancer.

He had the honor of baptizing and marrying his children and most of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many others. While he loved to fish and play dominos, his real joy in life was being a pastor and spending time with his family, including his congregational families.

His Confirmation verse was John 10: 27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

Services will be held today at Trinity Lutheran Church, Uvalde, Texas, at 3 p.m. and interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Uvalde, Texas. A lunch will be served at the church at noon following the 10:30 a.m. church service. Viewing and visitation will begin at 1 p.m. at the church.

Pallbearers are Merle Moerbe, Curtis Muecke, Jeremy Atkinson, Justin Moerbe, Andrew Reich, and Matthew Muecke.

Honorary pallbearers are Rob Walker and Raymond C. Reich.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Uvalde, designated to the Memorial Fund or Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI), at 762 N. Getty St, Uvalde, TX, 78801.

The preceding is a paid obituary.

 

 

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