Obituary of Raymond Joseph Schanel

Raymond J. Schanel, age 84, passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at a local hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Raymond Joseph Schanel was born on September 14, 1929 in Tyndall, South Dakota to the late Joseph Francis and Gladys Irene (Gavin) Schanel. He was a 1948 graduate of Garden City High School in Garden City, Kansas. He served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954 and was a veteran of the Korean War. While in the Air Force, he was trained as an Air Traffic Controller and continued this career as a civil servant at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs for 18 years. He married Joyce DeFord on June 27, 1955 and they settled in Colorado Springs to begin their married life in 1956. Ray was hardworking and he spent many years in farming and ranching, custom harvesting, as well as in construction. He was a founding member of the Little Britches Rodeo Association, worked with Colorado Springs Community Development as a contractor and served six years on the Board of Adjustment for the El Paso Board of County Commissioners. He enjoyed playing poker and trips to Cripple Creek. He was also someone for whom family was most important and he made sure that this value was instilled into his children.He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Colorado Springs; three sons, Douglas (wife, Jo) Schanel of Colorado Springs, Dirk (wife, Lisa) Schanel of Monument, Colorado, Darin (wife, Barb) Schanel of Colorado Springs; and two daughters, Debbie Jackson of Boise, Idaho and Dannis Schanel of Colorado Springs. He was grandfather to Paige, Elena, Nicole, Anna, Garrett, Maggie, Connor and Brindi and great-grandfather to Belle. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.While his family here on earth will miss him dearly, we know that his parents, sisters Alice Mae and Adrienne, his nephew Rodney, niece Karen and other family and friends are waiting in heaven to welcome him home.Memorial Services to be held at a later date. Memorials in Ray's memory may be made to Catholic Charities of Central Colorado at 228 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Saturday, November 30, 2013 12:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855