Ray Earl Cumrine

RAY EARL CUMRINE of Valdosta was born in Danville, Illinois on October 31, 1920, the son of the late Oscar Cumrine and Mildred Reeder Cumrine. He graduated from Danville High School and attended business school. After a period of working as a photographer, operating a photo finishing business and related photographic activities, he joined the Army in June, 1940. He was promoted to first sergeant in May 1942 and was one of the youngest first sergeants in the Army at the time at the age of 21 and a half. He subsequently was appointed to Warrant Officer, after which he attended the Signal Corps Officer Training School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He served in many Army and Air Force installations in the United States and served in Germany until requested relief from active duty as a captain in January, 1948.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda Knight Cumrine of Valdosta. His sister, Lois Marie Cumrine Young of Amarillo, Texas preceded him in death in 2000.

Ray Cumrine attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute-now Auburn University, and graduated in 1951 with a degree of Bachelor of Architecture. His first position after graduation was in New York City, where he worked for almost the next twenty two years. Cumrine had been a partner in architectural firms in New York City and Valdosta at different phases of his career. When he moved to Valdosta in 1973, he was Technical Vice President of a microfilm information service for architects.

He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, serving as officer and president of the Southwest Georgia Chapter of A. I. A. and later as officer and president of the Georgia Association of A.I.A. He was a member of the Construction Specifications Institute serving as officer and president of the Metropolitan New York Chapter, C.S.I. He was elevated to Fellow, C.S.I. in 1968.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Valdosta. He had been an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church since 1967 and had served as Ruling Elder in the Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church, Pearl River, New York and First Presbtyerian Church in Valdosta.

Ray Cumrine was associated with the architectural firm of Ellis, Ricket and Associates since 1984 when he retired from architectural practice and until his health curtailed his activities in 2003.

Memorial services will be held at 2pm, Monday, April 2, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Don Stanley officiating. Memorials may be made to the Break Bread Together Program at First Presbyterian Church or to the Valdosta/Lowndes Humane Society. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602