Dr. Raymond Carl Jess

Dr. Raymond Carl Jess, well-known, long-time physician of Lake Jackson, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the age of 96.

Raymond was born on November 8, 1929, in Grand Island, Nebraska. In 1948, he entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After graduating with an engineering degree in 1952, he served his country for 8 years, including a two-year rotation in Korea.

While in Korea, Raymond served as an artillery commander and also became a competitive shooter on the U.S. Army competition shooting team. In 1960, he qualified as an alternate for the USA Olympics rifle team. Then, after honorable discharge in 1960 as a 1st Lieutenant, Artillery, he decided to study medicine.

In 1966, Raymond graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. After completing his specialty, Dr. Jess began his medical practice as an obstetrician/gynecologist in Lake Jackson, Texas, around 1970. Over the next 30+ years, he delivered so many Brazoria County babies that his family teased him, saying he had delivered half the County! Late in his medical career, after ''retiring'' from delivering babies, Dr. Jess' later medical practice included time as the State of Texas Local Health Authority for Brazoria County, work in St. Luke's Cardiac Rehab, and work in wound care using hyperbaric chambers.

Raymond married the love of his life, Carolyn, in 1965. They raised two children and enjoyed 29 years together, until her death in 1994.

In 1971, Raymond joined the Greenwood Gun Club and served as club president from 1993-2020. He was a competitive shooter on the National Shooting team, reaching the status of Distinguished Rifleman, the highest competitive level. He was also a member of the distinguished ''President's 100,'' who are to serve as the President's personal ''militia'' in the event of war. Raymond received the Elihu Root medal, presented by Texas Governor White. This medal is given by the U.S. Department of Defense and signified that Raymond was one of the top six, competitive civilian marksmen in the nation.

Raymond's other hobbies included golf, travel, and working NY Times crossword puzzles (the hard ones!). He played golf every chance he could get and was passionate about travel. He traveled extensively, including trips to Europe and Australia with friends, and he went to India once or twice per year to visit his sister, Mona.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond E and Oma Jess, his beloved wife, Carolyn Jess, and sister, Mona Singh. He is survived by his children, Valerie Burton and husband, Mark, William Jess and wife, Stephanie, grandchildren John Burton, James Burton, and Carolyn Jess, and sister, Billie Jackson.

Raymond will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His family is so grateful and wishes to thank the many staff of Amada Home Health, St. Luke's Hospital, Oak Village Nursing Home, and Hopestone Choice Hospice for their compassionate, loving care for Raymond over the last years of his life.

To fulfill Raymond's wishes, the family will gather and scatter his ashes in the same beautiful Keystone, Colorado, location where his wife's ashes were also scattered.

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