COL (Ret) Raymond Livingston Stearns

COL (Ret), Raymond L. Stearns, 85, of Gainesville, VA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Thursday, January 21, 2021. Ray was born January 9, 1936, in Baltimore, MD, and grew up in Owings Mills, MD. He attended McDonogh Military Academy from seventh grade through High School, where he was the Corp commander, class president and later inducted into the McDonogh Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia (CLAS ’59) where he was an active member of the community. He earned All-America honors on Virginia’s Men’s Lacrosse Team. Additionally, he was a member of the IMP Society, T.I.L.K.A. Society, and a Brother of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He was commissioned at graduation as a Second Lieutenant into the United States Army in 1959. Ray served 30 years in the military in both wartime and peacetime. His tours included Vietnam, Europe, and the United States. While serving on his first tour in Germany he met Gudrun Renate “Maxi” Albinus. Their 32-year marriage began on June 22, 1963. They had two sons, John David Stearns and Christopher Livingston Stearns. During his service, he earned a Masters of Business Administration at Babson College in Massachusetts, completed Command and General Staff College, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Ray was well known for his leadership and his contributions to soldiers and units in the Army. For his heroism and actions without regard, Ray was awarded over his career; the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with Second Oak Leaf Cluster; Soldiers Medal; Bronze Star with third Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal (5 service stars); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (4); Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation; Parachutist Badge; Army Staff Identification Badge; Armed Forces Honor Medal; and the Overseas Service Bar (4). Ray retired from his distinguished military career in 1989 and began a second career at The National Industries for the Blind, creating numerous job opportunities for blind Americans while supporting the Warfighter. On May 17, 1997, Ray married Amelia Grace “Dolly” Stearns. Ray and Dolly were devout members of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainsville, VA. Through their 24-year marriage, Ray and Dolly committed their time to family, leisure, and travel. They enjoyed cruises around the globe with family and friends. Ray was a loving and dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. As a proud Alumnus of the University of Virginia, Ray remained an active Wahoo throughout his life. He avidly attended University of Virginia Football games and Women’s Soccer matches while his son Chris and granddaughter Morgan competed for the Hoos, respectively. Ray is survived by his wife Amelia Grace ‘Dolly’ Stearns of Gainesville, VA; son John D. Stearns of Leesburg, VA; son Christopher L. Stearns of Fort Collins, CO, his wife Laurel and their four children Morgan, Amber, Luke, and John. Ray is also survived by Dolly’s four children and their spouses Michael and Jan Cannon, Frank and Rebecca Cannon, Elaine and Ned Preston, and Cathleen and Jerry Bigelow; 9 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, Ena and Raymond O. Stearns, sister Sue Marie Stearns, and former wife Gudrun Renate Stearns. There will be a memorial mass in honor of Col. Stearns’ life on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Holly Trinity Catholic Church located at 8213 Linton Hall Rd Gainsville, VA, 20155. A funeral mass will be held at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel and interment, with full military honors, at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 10:45 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/ or The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, 8830 Cameron St. #201 Silver Spring, MD 20910 https://parkinsonfoundation.org/

COL (Ret) Raymond Livingston Stearns

January 9, 1936 - January 21, 2021