E Raymond Cullom

Ray Cullom, 85, of Stevensville, MD, passed away on May 19, 2022, after a weekend surrounded by his family including his wife, children, and grandchildren. Maribeth, his beloved wife of 59 years, was by his side in the final moments. He was born on September 11, 1936, in New Orleans, the son of the late Bert Cullom and Mary Swift Cullom. Ray Cullom was first and foremost a family man. He delighted in his children, grandchildren, sons and daughters-in-law, his brother, Richard, and his wife, Maribeth. Ray was a figurehead in each of the many communities that he lived in throughout his life. He was known in these communities as a swim coach, foster parent, neighborhood chef, active member of the church, and being easy to get along with. While growing up in the New Orleans area, Ray was active in the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, earning the God and Country Award and serving as scout master in several troops over the years. He served three years in the Army with the National Security Agency. After graduating from Loyola University of New Orleans with a degree in Mathematics, Ray went to work for IBM. His 31 year career with IBM took Ray and his family to six states ultimately ending up in Maryland where he and Maribeth shared a home with their daughter Maryalice and her family on Kent Island. Ray always wanted to better the community in which he lived. In that vein, throughout his life, Ray was an active leader in his church as a Parish Council President, Lay Reader, and Extraordinary Minister. His children’s interest in swimming led to Ray’s 10 years as a swim coach, initially volunteering to coach since there was no one else, even though he didn’t know much about the sport. Coach Ray influenced so many young swimmers, not just in the sport of swimming but in the lessons of life. Ray’s desire to help others manifested itself in his life as a volunteer. Ray was a guardian ad litem, foster parent, volunteer and camp counselor at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC), and a volunteer in the United States National Parks including Bryce Canyon (UT), Big Cypress (FL), and the National Mall (DC) where he received the President’s Volunteer Award. In addition to his parents, Ray is predeceased by his brother Richard Cullom. Ray is survived by his wife of 59 years Maribeth Cullom;, his children; James and wife, Bonnie Cullom, Raymond and wife Meryl Cullom, Maryalice and husband Thomas Davis, Patrick and wife Bonny Cullom, Elizabeth and husband Kevin Ruddy,;and his 16 grandchildren; Margaret, Taylor, Mary Catherine, Adeline, Jackson, Henry, Charlie, Annie, Charlotte, Alice, Owen, Genevie, Shannon, Spencer, Seamus, and Arlo. Ray Cullom was a steward of the earth, a steward of the church, and a steward of his family and will be terribly missed. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St Christopher’s Catholic Church, 1861 Harbor Drive, Chester, MD. Ray's family invites you to stop by his home after the Mass. Directions to his home will be available at the church. In lieu of flowers donations in Ray’s memory, donations may be made to Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, the National Parks Foundation, or Compass Hospice Care.

E Raymond Cullom

September 11, 1936 - May 19, 2022