Raymond Baptista

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Raymond Baptista, 72, of Harrisburg, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, at his residence in Harrisburg.

He was born on Aug. 3, 1937, in Ross, Calif., to the late Manuel Baptista and Mary (Viera) Baptista. On Jan. 26, 1960, he married Martha Lane, and she survives.

Surviving family members include his wife, Martha Baptista of Harrisburg; two sons, Mark Baptista of Denver, Colo. and Douglas Baptista of Blackhawk, Colo.; brother, John Baptista and wife Deli of Petaluma, Calif.; mother, Mary Silva of Sebastopol, Calif.; special aunts, Florence Miller, Herbert and Helen Shaw, Lola Sue and Robert Coltrin, Jack and Sharon Lane, Robert and Chali Lane; and many special nieces and nephews.

Ray was a very gentle man who was always concerned for others. He also loved his God and country. He was Catholic by faith. Ray served his country in both the Navy on the USS Yorktown and the Army in the 101st Airborne. He was always willing to help others. He was also a very loving and caring father.

Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel. Father Ignatius Okonkwo will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be left at the Obituary Page of the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.