WILMINGTON — Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ray N. Joens died Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
He was born March 31, 1922, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Loretta Bracken Joens. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Dee Bliesmer; son, David; and daughter, Janine Kubeck.
Ray joined the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and served as a second lieutenant on the USS Topeka in the Pacific. He continued in the Marines for 33 years, seeing combat in Korea, where he received a Bronze Star with a Combat V, and Vietnam, where he was the commanding officer of the 26th Marine Regiment. He retired as a colonel in 1975.
After retiring, Ray served as a senior administrator for several departments in state government. He moved to Wilmington in 1983 and was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church. Ray was a longtime distance runner and avid golfer with a three handicap.
Ray is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sue; and three sons, Patrick and Michael of Shady Cove, Ore., and Scott of Cambridge, Mass; and five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
An internment ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 15, at Oleander Memorial Gardens. A gathering will be held after services at the Port City Chop House.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Lower Cape Fear Hospice in recognition of their excellent care for Col. Joens.