Raymond Dale Bigelow, 67, passed away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 3, 2025. A resident of the Milwaukee area for 36 years, Ray was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on November 18, 1957. After graduating from Mattawan High School, he proudly served for 16 years in the United States Navy, during which he once spent 144 straight days at sea during the Iran hostage crisis. Ray served aboard the USS Nimitz, USS Forrestal, and USS Hawes, with shore duty in Cleveland, Ohio and Milwaukee, Wisconsin in between. Ray met his wife and married in Cleveland on Earth Day, April 22, 1985. Ray was a life member of the USS Nimitz Association, where he served as past President, and in various other positions. Ray was also a life member of the 440 th Airlift Wing Alumni Association; life member of the USS Forrestal Association; and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 11038). He was also proud and appreciative to have been an honorary member of the 95 th Airlift Squadron's Flying Sergeants Association. Ray served as a civilian for the 440 th Airlift Wing (95 th Airlift Squadron); Department of Veterans Affairs; and Drug Enforcement Agency. He retired from federal service in 2015. Ray's service to his country totaled more than 37 years. Ray loved basketball, golfing and bowling, and competed in many tournaments and leagues. A sports fan extraordinaire, Ray was a life-long Detroit Tigers fan; adopted the Cleveland Browns as his favorite football team; and always rooted "Go Blue" for the University of Michigan. Ray loved to travel, and visited 49 of the 50 states, in addition to the various European and Middle Eastern countries he toured while in the Navy. Ray once rode in an F-14D fighter jet, and spent five days underway on the submarine USS Hawaii. He crossed the Equator; crossed the Arctic Circle twice; and traversed the Suez Canal. Ray was honored as the Milwaukee Brewers Hero of the Game in April 2018. Ray was an excellent dancer, and enjoyed concerts, music, movies, museums, sports venues, gardens, and the outdoors. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Helen Bigelow; his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Gerald Koenig; and his sister, Lois Bigelow. Ray will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 40 years, Patricia (nee Midolo); brother-in-law John (Cathy) Midolo of Rochester, NY; sister-in-law Sally Childers of Mayfield Heights, OH; brother-in-law James (Delores) Midolo of New London, OH; sister-in-law Kathy (Larry) Fuller of New London, OH; and sister-in-law Sharon (Garth) McGrail of Sun Lakes, AZ. Ray is also survived by Nephews David (Melissa) Koenig; Brian (Tami) Koenig; and Mark (Jessica) Koenig of Michigan, along with several more nieces and nephews and great-nephews and great-niece.

Visitation at the Funeral Home on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Funeral Service beginning at 6:00 PM. Military Honors to follow the service. Ray will be laid to rest at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.