Raymond George Dargis' Obituary
Raymond George Dargis was born to Maurice G. Dargis and Jane B McKechnie on July 18, 1928. Born in the township of Massachusetts called North Dartmouth located at the western edge of Cape Cod. Lived in Rhode Island and Connecticut; considered himself “A Connecticut Yankee” growing up. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorie Cavanaugh, stepdaughter Carolyn Higgins (Al Higgins) and stepson Gregory Shelton. His wife of 66 years, Antoinette, who passed six weeks after him not wanting to be separated. He is survived by his stepson James Mark Shelton (Maureen). He had 9 grandchildren, Nate, 2 Christophers, Devon, Aaron, 2 Jessicas, Heather, and Erica. He had many great grandchildren.
At the age of 17 years and 7 days he enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps. Following bootcamp at Paris Island, he attended flight training at Vero Beach Naval Air Station. Graduated flight school as an interceptor operator with the rank of PFC and earned his pilot wings. His journey from Vero Beach was to Peking China via Guam, Okinawa and Iwo Jima. The purpose was to provide air support for Chiang Kai-shek on his way to Iwo Jima. From Ewa airbase, in Hawaii Raymond applied for NROTC and was accepted where he then attended Tufts University. From Tufts, he earned a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in metallurgy.
Over the course of his working years, he worked for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, American Smelting Refinery, MacDermid Chemical, RU Hull Company and McGean Rohco where he worked until retirement.
His memberships included Society of Manufacturing Eng., Metal Finishing Society and American Metal Assoc. He wrote over 50 engineering papers, taught processes for the Societies and taught classes in finishing procedures. The Canadian Treasury awarded him a metal for “work in perfecting their coin process with copper mintage”.
During his entire lifetime he enjoyed the outdoors and teaching our youth. He was a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. For 72 years he was involved with the Boy Scouts of America and their development of both boys and leaders in the Scouting program. His most cherished award was the St. George Emblem presented to him by the Joliet Diocese. It represents the National Catholic Committee on Scouting thru local diocese for adults who have made outstanding long-term contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in Scouting.
Raymond was an extremely interesting man and will be missed by many.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, OH 44070.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Antoinette’s name to Boy Scouts of America.
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