Raymond Nelson Emerson

Raymond Nelson Emerson, 94, of Loveland died May 1, 2019 at Brookdale North Assisted Living. Ray was born at home, April 30, 1925 on a farm in Northwest, Missouri. A few years later the family moved to their ranch near Brush, Colorado. Ray joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and after attending Diesel School at Iowa State College, he was assigned to a L.S.T. (Landing Ship Tank) and spent "many”  months in the South Pacific, where he participated in several invasions of Japanese held islands. His regular duty on the ship was MOMM as a section leader in operation and maintenance of the V-12 diesel engines that propelled the ship. During air raids and island invasions, Ray was leader and "trigger man” of a 20 Millimeter anti-aircraft gun. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1946, Ray settled in Loveland, Colorado where he met and later married Bonnie Hester, October 27, 1946. They were blessed with two daughters and a son. Their son, Wayne, was killed in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Army, Special Forces. After being employed at the Nehi Bottling Company in Loveland, Ray served in marketing leadership positions with Pepsi-Cola Company in New York, Verners Ginger Ale Company in Detroit, Orange Crush Company in Chicago and Proctor and Gamble in San Francisco. After being away from Loveland for twenty-eight ears, Ray and Bonnie moved back to Loveland for retirement in 1984. As a Loveland resident again, Ray served on the Loveland City Council, Mayor Pro-tem and Mayor for a combined total of six years. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Guy, sister Anita, son Wayne, Grandson Don and his wife Bonnie. He is survived by his daughters Beverly and Karen; as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren who live in various states through the U.S. A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held at Viegut Funeral Home on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with a reception following in the Viegut Reception Center. Private family inurnment will be held at Loveland Burial Park at a later date.