OBITUARY: Raymond David Nations, 70, of Granite Shoals died Oct. 2, 2013
Raymond David Nations, 70, passed away Oct. 2, 2013, at his home in Granite Shoals, Texas.
A memorial service was Oct. 7 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 200 Via Viejo in Marble Falls, officiated by Bishop Fred DeBusk. Interment is Oct. 11 in Thatcher, Ariz., where a graveside service will be held.
David is survived by his wife of 50 years, Merilyn Gillins Nations; five daughters, Lori Byers of Carlsbad, N.M., Dawn Wright of Leander, Kelly Pagano of Highland Village, Mikal Davids of Tokyo, Japan, and Danielle Eastwood of Round Rock; 20 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Jo Ann Hightower of Tempe, Ariz. also survives him.
His parents; brother, Donald Eugene; and grandson David Weyerman preceded him in death.
Born to James Raymond Nations and Helen Ruth Bingham on Aug. 4, 1943, in Safford, Ariz., he attended 19 schools in 12 years before attending New Mexico State University, where David caught the eye of Merilyn Gillins. They married in 1963 and later had five beautiful daughters.
Through his studies, he earned a master’s degree in nuclear industrial safety. In his early years, David worked hard in the mining industry before finishing his schooling and joining the U.S. Department of Labor as a mine safety inspector and an auditor. He was later employed at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site and Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad before joining the staff at the Superconducting Super Collider in Texas.
After retiring from the government, David purchased a family business in Granite Shoals: The Corner Market and Happy Cooker Grill. He enjoyed working and living in a small-town atmosphere, where he could relax with his family, fish on Lake LBJ and build relationships with the local residents he would eventually call friends.
After 12 years of running his own business, David and his family sold it in 2005, which allowed for him and his wife to travel across the United States and to Japan.
David and his wife recently returned from serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington Seattle Mission. They were blessed to work in both the mission office serving the 250 young missionaries and with the members of a Marshallese Branch of the church.
Anyone who met David knew his faith and family were the most important things in his life. Although he seemed tough on the outside, he was a gentle giant on the inside. He treated everyone with respect and love, and all who knew him will miss him dearly. Until we meet again …
Arrangements by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373. Go to www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com to offer condolences.