Harold Carl Rayborn born October 19,1933
Harold Carl Rayborn was born on October 19,1933 to Arthur Hastings Rayborn & Charlotte (Lottie) Belle (Crisp) Rayborn at their Lynchburg/Manes Missouri farm. Harold was the 7th of 8 beloved children and enjoyed a spirited childhood with his siblings on the family farm. He was baptized in the Plato Baptist Church, and graduated Plato High School in 1951, where he excelled in baseball and basketball.
In 1954 Harold married Josephine (Jo) Cecila (Bronczyk) Rayborn. Harold considered his marriage to Jo, his best friend, mentor, financial adviser and soulmate, to be his greatest achievement. Together Harold and Jo raised four wonderful, talented children: Sandra Gail (Rayborn) Kulas, Katherine Sue (Rayborn) Destefani, Keith Randall Rayborn, Pamelia Jean (Meister). In turn these children provided Harold and Jo with nine grandchildren: Jason Kulas, Jaime (Kulas) Watson, Valerie (Meister) Lincoln, Kurt Meister Jr., Johann Meister, Joe Destefani, Ashley (Destefani) Wilson, Taylor Rayborn, and Hunter (Rayborn) Harris. The Rayborn legacy continues to grow with Harold and Jo’s 14 great grandchildren (and counting!).
Harold was a proud United States Veteran, having served in the US Army from 1954 – 1956 in Ft. Chaffee Arkansas, Augsburg Germany, and Ft. Ord California. During his service he achieved the rank of Corporal and earned Sgt Stripes (ultimately withheld with his discharge from service). Following his departure from the US Army Harold embarked in a celebrated career with the Army and Airforce Exchange Service (AAFES), beginning as a merchandise marketer. He traveled the world with his family supporting AAFES in roles to include the Region Chief of the Alamo Exchange Region and the Ohio Valley Exchange Region, before being placed in charge of worldwide logistics. Over the course of his 36 + year career Harold received four Meritorious Civilian Awards, the Department of The Department of Army & Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Award, 2 AAFES Excellence awards and numerous other awards, medals and accolades and ended his career with AAFES as of 1 of 13 SR Grade 16 in March of 1989.
Harold retired to Peachtree City Ga. where he enjoyed time with his lovely wife, kids and grandchildren while staying active with family businesses and playing golf and fishing.
In retirement Harold and Jo traveled to visit family and enjoyed cruises, Hawaii, Europe and Mexico. They drove their RV across these beautiful United States, from Maine to Florida, out west to Arizona and along the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. Harold and Jo wintered in Arizona at Valle Del Oro and Sunland Springs Village in Mesa Arizona staying active with friends and family supporting their church and house building trips in Mexico. They made Arizona their full-time home in 2018. Harold loved golf, shuffleboard, hunting, fishing, bowling and above all his Family, God & Country. An innate people-person, Harold made dear friends wherever he went and will be dearly missed by friends and family alike.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mountain View Funeral Home in Mesa, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charities below.
American Heart Association | To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives
Memorial Gift | American Diabetes Association