Raymond Bruce Bostian

Raymond Bruce Bostian (78), of Kemp TX, went to be with our Lord in Heaven on March 29, 2022. He was born in Monticello, Arkansas, on September 2, 1943, to Bruce and Merle Bostian.

Raymond graduated from Monticello High School, and while there, developed his lifelong love of all things related to sports. He was a multi-sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and track & field as a pole vaulter. His favorite was basketball which he carried on playing competitively well into his adult life and shared his love of the sport with his daughter Tanya.  The two of them spent many hours playing sports and attending high school and college games in person as Raymond was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan and member of the Razorback Club. He was also an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, a piece of his character that he carried from his childhood in Arkansas, sharing it with his family and friends.

He moved to Texas and took a job with Sherwin Williams, which turned into a 34-year career in which he ascended to the role of a machinist before retiring. He also met the love of his life in Texas as he and Carolyn Horton (at the time) met at a square-dancing event, and it was love at first sight. A bit over 52 years, they traveled life together, having homes in Garland, Seven Points, and ultimately Kemp, Texas.

Raymond was a kind, gentle man with a winning smile, who was always willing to help others in need. He had a quick wit about him, always ready with a timely joke and mischievous grin to go with it; he brought laughter to many. He loved music of many genres, reading, and watching old western movies.

Surviving family members include his wife, Carolyn Bostian; his daughter and son-in-law Tanya and Brian Evans; his grandson and his wife Ryan and Jessie Dantzler and great-granddaughter Lexa; his brothers JB and Bobby Bostian; Herbert and Donna Bradley; sister Virginia Daugherty; his brother-in-law and his wife Wes and Susanne Horton; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Wendy Nicole Bostian; his mother and father Merle and Bruce Bostian; his twin brother Richard Bostian; his sister Shirley Bostian Cater.

Raymond will be dearly missed by many friends and family members; may he rest in peace with his Lord & Savior in Heaven.