Langevin • El Paraiso Funeral Home
Raymond (Ray, “Dudleh”, “Bumba”), 75, of Yakima, WA, died suddenly in his sleep on April 30, 2022.
Raymond was born on March 27, 1947 to Lawrence and Irmgard Alkofer in Bremen, Germany. He moved to western Washington with his parents when he was three years old. He graduated from Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma in 1965. In 1965, he attended the University of Washington where he played freshman football. After UW, he attended Tacoma Community College. In fact, the day he and Bonny met, he was enrolling in classes there. He and Bonny met on a blind date in 1966 and married in 1968. After getting married, they lived on a Milwaukee Railroad work train in Frederickson. They then moved to Bellingham where he attended and graduated from Western Washington State College, majoring in political science and minoring in math. Ray and Bonny lived in western Washington during their first marriage. In 1971, they lived in Seattle and welcomed their son Mark. They then lived in Olympia and welcomed their daughter Cindi in 1974. In 1976 they moved the family to Yakima.
Most of Raymond’s career was spent in Washington State. His favorite job was as a driver examiner for the Licensing Department. He was also active as a football official until around the early 2000s. After retiring from the state, he went to Central Washington University and earned his teaching credentials. He actively replaced several special teachers when requested. He was also involved with the Warehouse Theater Company in Yakima. His first stage role was when he was in Christmas Carol at the Capitol Theater. Several years later, he played Mr. Fezziwig and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, his all-time favorite roles. He LOVED Charles Dickens and his absolute favorite was Christmas Carol. He watched and read it every December. He has fully, completely and wholeheartedly supported his wife Bonny as a costume designer with several local theaters.
It was a walking encyclopedia. There was no end to his ability to remember facts and dates. He was a powerful, witty and PROLIFIC writer. Some of his writings can be seen on Facebook. Some will be released at a later date.
He was a sweet and humble teddy bear. He was kind, patient and easy going. He was generous. He was silly and sweet.
He loved his family fiercely. He was Bonny’s best husband, Mark and Cindi’s best father, Brian’s best stepdad, Terry’s best brother and her grandson Milo’s best “Bumba”. Ray started reading to Milo when he was 8 weeks old. He and Milo spent countless hours working on their model railroad and drawing picture books/comics together.
He is predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Irmgard Alkofer. He is survived by his wife Bonny, son Mark Alkofer of North Hollywood, daughter Cindi, son-in-law Brian, grandson Milo Dixon and brother Terry Alkofer of Tacoma.
He was a special man who we will miss terribly.
Visitation will be held at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with a brief funeral service at Terrace Heights Cemetery, followed by a reception at Rainier Memorial Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Western Washington University Library in honor of their deep love of books and reading! To leave a memory for the family, go to lepfuneralhome.com.
