Raymond L. Paul died August 14, 2026. Born February 25, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri to George and Leona (Mueller) Paul, Ray moved to Rockford at age four and spent the rest of his life there. He attended Walker, Roosevelt and West High School where he was a 4 sport athlete. He chose the University of Wisconsin for a football scholarship but quickly discovered college football wasn’t his destiny. Instead he focused on academics and campus activities where he met his wife of 67 years JoMarie (Moerschel). An honors student and a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Ray managed to fund his education with summer construction work and after getting licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois, by selling life insurance. He earned a Business Administration degree, graduating in 1958 with honors (Phi Kappa Phi) while simultaneously studying for and passing the rigorous tests required to attain his professional Insurance CLU designation. He excelled in baseball but turned down a contract with the Dodgers in 1958 to marry his college sweetheart, start a family, and embark on a career with MassMutual Life Insurance Company that spanned 60 years!

Over his long career, Ray received an exceptional number of industry awards and tributes. He was loyal to MassMutual and was honored to serve his clients in the city he loved. Ray also held many community leadership positions. He was president of the Rock Valley College Board of Trustees, University Club of Rockford, New American Theater, Rockford Museum Association, Wisconsin Alumni Association, Treasurer of Blackhawk Day Care and a board member of several other organizations. He and JoMarie were founding members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church before joining Christ United Methodist Church—initially just to admire their daughter Jody leading music, praise and worship.

In his 60’s, Ray followed his passion for fiction writing and had 22 short stories published in a variety of periodicals, followed by 5 novels and a short story collection-all meticulously and lovingly edited by JoMarie. He taught writing at Rock Valley College’s Center for Learning in Retirement twice yearly for numerous years. Ray was a long time member of Rockford Country Club, where the highlight of countless rounds of golf was winning The Nelson Cup with his grandson, Chris. He loved geography and relished in planning trips and then traveling throughout the US and abroad with loved ones. An avid fisherman and gardener, Ray delighted in sharing these activities as well as the fried fish and bountiful vegetables they provided. He was a lifelong Cubs fan thrilled to have witnessed their 2016 World Series Win. Ever the competitor and gamester, Ray’s sense of humor and hallmark enthusiasm for playing cards carried through to the final days of his life.

He is survived by daughters, Jody (Mike) Warren of Belvidere, IL, Laurie (Mike) Kelly of Columbia, MO, grandchildren, Christopher Warren, PhD (Alyssa Huff) of Berkeley, CA, Rebecca (Mike) Thomason of Albuquerque, NM, Shannon (Maggie) Tratynek of Chicago, Shaun Kelly of San Pedro, CA, Megan Kelly of Brussels, Belgium, great grandchildren, Leona and Beckett Huff-Warren, brother, Robert G. Paul (Margaret Kennedy), niece, Katherine Paul (Francois Delangle), nephews, Robert G. Paul Jr. (Jennifer), Andrew Paul (Camille Esch), Jonathan Moerschel, Christopher (Paula) Moerschel and their children and grandchildren. Predeceased by his loving wife, JoMarie, their daughter, Lynn Marie in 1971 (age 4 1/2), his parents George and Leona Paul, his father’s second wife, Edna Kriege Paul, grandparents, Raymond A. (Ina) Paul and Leon (Hazel) Mueller, brother in law Henry and (Marilee) Moerschel.

Celebration of life to be held 11am, November 6, 2026 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108 with Visitation at 10 am. Private burial at Willwood Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107, the American Brain Foundation, americanbrainfoundation.org, Northern Illinois Hospice, 4751 Harrison Ave, Rockford, IL 61108 or a charity of your choice.