Raymond Fort

June 11, 1938 - October 19, 2016

Raymond Laverne Fort, 78, of rural Bloomfield, Iowa passed away October 19, 2016 at Hospice House in Ottumwa. He was born June 11, 1938 in Bloomfield to Paul R. and Hazel M. Hamilton Fort. He married Patricia Bride on August 10, 1958 in Ottumwa. The couple raised a son, Jeff. Raymond graduated from Davis County High School in 1956. After high school, he attended St. Joseph School of Nursing, graduating as an Operating Room Technician in 1963. He would later graduate from Ottumwa Heights College in May 1973 and attend Upper Iowa University. Raymond worked at the Davis County Hospital as a surgical tech for several years. In 1964, he started working for John Deere in Ottumwa and retired from the purchasing department in 1992. In 1994, Raymond started working for the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield. He worked at the funeral home for over 20 years, retiring earlier this year. In his free time, Raymond enjoyed woodworking, photography, going to auctions and flea markets, making stain glass windows, dining out with his wife, and going to area casinos. He was a member of the Bloomfield United Methodist Church and the Davis County Historical Society, where he had served as President and board member for many years. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Fort of Bloomfield; son, Jeff (Tracy) Fort of Pella, Iowa; nephew, Mike Petefish of Bloomfield; three nieces, Pam (Arlen) Anderson of Albia, Iowa, Julie Gardner-Wisse, Monica Bride both of Oskaloosa, Iowa; and a brother-in-law, Jerry (Kay) Bride of Ottumwa. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Donna Lou Petefish; and brother-in-law, Jasper Petefish. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. John D. Boatman and Rev. Tim Frasher officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to the Bloomfield United Methodist Church, Davis County Historical Society, and Hospice of Wapello and Davis Counties.