Raymond Reich

RAYMOND DALE REICH was born November 27, 1932 in Carlton (Hamilton County), Texas to parents Gottleib John (G.J.) Reich and Bertha nee Nauert. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pottsville, Texas on January 15, 1933 by Rev. E.N. Zabels. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Grace Lutheran Church in Midland, Texas by Rev. Gilbert C. Becker.

He graduated from Early High School in Early, Texas and was in the Naval Reserve. He attended Daniel Baker College and received a degree from Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois on June 6, 1958. His vicarage was spent at Our Savior Lutheran Church and then at First English Lutheran Church in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He was ordained into the Holy Ministry on October 12, 1958 in his first parish, Zion Lutheran Church, Rockville, Missouri and served there until 1962. He also served the following churches:
Faith Lutheran Church, El Dorado Springs, Missouri, 1958-1962
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aleman (Hamilton), Texas, 1962-1974
First Lutheran Church, Gatesville, Texas, 1965-1974
Visitation pastor for the Gatesville State School for Boys, 1965-1974
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bishop, Texas, 1974-1982
Cross Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, Texas, 1982-1997
Vacancy pastor for congregations in Allan's Chapel, Honey Grove, Texas; Kerrville, Texas; Alamo, Texas; Uvalde, Texas from 1997-2000
Trinity Lutheran Church, Uvalde, Texas, 2000-2006

Rev. Reich has served the Texas District in various appointed offices and served as Circuit Counselor at various times throughout his years in the ministry.

On August 10, 1957, he was married to the former Nora Alene Ryser of Honey Grove, Texas. They were married in St. James Lutheran Church in Allan's Chapel, Honey Grove, Texas by the Rev. Marcus Lange. To this union three children were born, two of them dying in infancy - Diane Lynn and Karen Ruth, and Janet Elaine Reich Moerbe, and three children being adopted - Philip Dale Reich, Nancy Gail Reich Muecke, and Jonathan Paul Reich.

He is survived by his children - Janet Moerbe & husband Merle of La Pryor, Texas, Philip Reich's widow Lisa of Grandview, Texas, Nancy Muecke & husband Curtis of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Jonathan Reich of Uvalde, Texas;
His grandchildren - Monica Atkinson & husband Jeremy, Justin Moerbe & wife Amy, Becky Walker & husband Rob, Andrew Reich & wife Tammy, Brandee Grier & husband Ethan, Raymond C. Reich, Matthew Muecke, and Katie Muecke;
His great-grandchildren - Colton & Ashlyn Atkinson, Addyson, Braxton & Callison Moerbe, Ryan Walker, Jaden Carroll, Kassandra & Leland Reich, Lethan Grier, and Christian Muecke;
Three brothers - Monroe Reich & wife Betty of Grande Saline, Texas, Norman Reich & wife Jean of Brownwood, Texas, and Albert Reich & wife Sandy of Red Oak, Iowa;
Numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Rev. Reich is preceded in death by his wife Nora Alene Reich, son Philip Dale Reich, two infant daughters - Diane Lynn and Karen Ruth, parents G.J. and Bertha Reich, and brother Leroy Reich.

He passed away at Uvalde Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center under the short period of care by Hospice at the age of 84. He was a strong man who battled a heart attack in 1996, a stroke in 2006, pancreatitis in 2014, and then pneumonia and an undiagnosed form of cancer in March 2017. However, the Lord had a plan for him and helped him overcome those ailments before being succumbed by terminal cancer.

He had the honor of baptizing and marrying his children and most of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many others. While he loved to fish and play dominos, his real joy in life was being a pastor and spending time with his family, including his congregational families.

His Confirmation verse was John 10: 27-28, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."

SERVICES will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Uvalde, Texas at 3 PM on May 7, 2017 and Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Uvalde, Texas. A lunch will be served at the church at noon following the 10:30 AM church service. Viewing and visitation will begin at 1:00 PM at the church.

PALLBEARERS are Merle Moerbe, Curtis Muecke, Jeremy Atkinson, Justin Moerbe, Andrew Reich, and Matthew Muecke. Honorary pallbearers are Rob Walker and Raymond C. Reich.

MEMORIALS may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Uvalde, Texas designated to the Memorial Fund or Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI), 762 N Getty St, Uvalde, TX 78801.

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Friday, May 5, 2017

Service

Funeral Service

Trinity Lutheran Church
762 N. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Sunday, May 7, 2017
3:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Hillcrest Cemetery
1300 W. Main
Uvalde, TX  78801

Memorial Contributions

Trinity Lutheran Memorial Fund
762 N. Getty
Uvalde, TX  78801

Trinity Lutheran Church - Pastoral Leadership Institute
762 N. Getty
Uvalde, TX  78801