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Name:
Raymond James Andersen

Date:
February 8th, 1943 - April 7th, 2009

Obituary:
Raymond James Andersen, age 66, of Hudsonville passed away peacefully at a cabin up north in Baldwin, MI, where he loved to spend time around the campfire, talking with friends/family, cooking and surfing the internet. Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Ray was the third child of four born to Christian and Irene (Opacki) Andersen. He was born on February 8, 1943, in Grand Rapids. He served in the Navy on the USS Boston from 1961 to 1963. He was actively involved with fellow shipmates, the discussion boards revolving around the ship, and attended reunions each year. He married Sandra (Shields) on July 29, 1967 in St. Andrews Cathedral. Ray and Sandy have one daughter, Michelle. He was known as Papa Ray to his twin eight-year-old grandsons with whom he loved to engineer Lego creations, play checkers and other games. In 2008, Ray retired from Riviera Tool Company (Grand Rapids) where he had held several positions over the years, including Head of Engineering and Data Administrator. Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Sandra; one daughter, Michelle (Randy) Browne; two grandchildren: Knoel and Kaden Browne; one sister, Arlene (John) Morris; and two brothers: Frederic (Nancy) Andersen and Phillip (Barbara) Andersen; several nieces and nephews. The family will greet family and friends Tuesday, April 14th, 2009, from 6-9 PM at the VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven. A celebration of Ray's life will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, April 15th, 2009, with a viewing available at 10 AM, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 920 Fulton Street, Grand Haven. The family appreciates your continued prayers, support and requests memorials in honor of Raymond James Andersen be made to the Dominican Center at Marywood/Dominican Sisters, 2025 E. Fulton, Grand Rapids or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 551 36th Street, SE, Suite C, Grand Rapids. Please visit www.vbkfuneralhome.com to confirm visitation/service times and dates and sign Ray's online guest book or share a memory with the family.

Memorials:
Dominican Center at Marywood/Dominican Sisters, 2025 E. Fulton, Grand Rapids or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 551 36th St. SE, Suite C, Grand Rapids

Visitations:
6:00PM to 9:00PM on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 at VBK Grand Haven Chapel (map/driving directions)

Services:
Viewing at 10:00AM, Service at 10:30AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 (map/driving directions)