Jasper "Ray" Etheridge,Ret. Msgt's Obituary
Celebrating the life and legacy of Jasper Ray Etheridge
1932 - 2025
Jasper went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 5, 2025, after a brief illness of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Born on October 6, 1932, to parents James Redden Ethridge and Annie Maude (Stewart) in Battleboro, NC. Jasper graduated from Whitakers High School in North Carolina and joined the US Air Force in 1951 where he served for twenty-one years, retiring as a M/SGT in 1972. During his time in the Air Force, he received numerous awards such as Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal with three bronze loops, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, USAF NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. In addition to these he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
After retiring from the US Air Force, he continued serving his country by joining the US Postal Service. He was a letter carrier and retired after 20 years. Following his retirement from the US Postal Service he took up small engine repair. He was known to many as the lawn mower man and was thought of fondly by the many customers he made throughout the neighborhood. He also loved golfing, leading the men’s golf association where he was a member of Silverado Golf & Country Club for many years and traveling to many golf tournaments with his love Patricia. Along with traveling to the golf tournaments, they traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal as well as the many places he was stationed at.
Jasper was preceded in death by his parents James Redden (Annie) and his sister Patsy (Otis). He is survived by the love of his life for 45 years, Patricia, daughters Marcedes Hofman, Terri Butman (Steve), son Arnold Cater (Jenny), grandsons James Stone (Janet), Raymond Etheridge, great grandchildren, Kirsten, Grant, Jasper, Rachel, Lizzy and Anya. Jasper is also survived by one brother Charles (Linda), niece Daphne Bulluck (Keith) and nephew James Bulluck (Crystal), brother-in-law Michael Scalise (Mimi), sisters in law, Nanci Nipper and Mickey Combs and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.
The visitation will be held on Thursday, January 16 from 5 – 7 pm and the Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 17 from 10 – 11 am at Sunset Funeral & Memory Gardens, 11005 N US Highway 301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592. Immediately following the service, a gathering will be held in the Sunset Banquet Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project : https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=16821&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS25001AACBREAA&gclid=6a2d2f4de1b111bcc3b848cb9fd2cce7&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=6a2d2f4de1b111bcc3b848cb9fd2cce7&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SEM%7CWWP%7CBR%7CUS%7CAll%7CWWP_Main%7CBing&utm_term=wounded%20warrior%20project%20foundation&utm_content=WWP_Foundation_Exact
OR
Paralyzed American Veterans: https://secure.pva.org/PVA/lasting-change-paralyzed-veterans?sc=bing&mc=WEB24EG&segment-code=ZZZ&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=search&utm_content=evergreen&utm_campaign=WEB24EG&msclkid=8ab6218b2bd01f97191c460d55df2004
What’s your fondest memory of Jasper?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jasper?
Share a story where Jasper's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jasper you’ll never forget.
How did Jasper make you smile?