Raymond Albert Branson

SCOTTSDALE – Raymond Albert Branson was born on June 18, 1916 in Northhampton, England. He passed away in Scottsdale on August 2 at the age of 102. He is survived by his wife Sally, his daughter Valerie Osborn , four grand-children, fourteen great grand-children and two great great grand-children. Raymond’s love was flying and in 1939 he joined the Royal Air Force. He served as a flying instructor and a test pilot. He served during World War II and was awarded the Air Force Cross by King George VI. After the war, he studied Russian at the London University and was subsequently inducted into the Foreign Service (M16). Raymond retired from both the RAF and the Foreign Service in 1963. He then spent six years at the Aberdeen University where he received his Master’s Degree in Foreign Language. He then taught German, French and English to foreign students. In the early 70’s, he taught at the world renowned school, Gordonstown in N.W. Scotland. One of his students was Prince Andrew and when Queen Elizabeth II visited her son, Raymond had the pleasure of having tea with the Queen. In the 80’s Raymond taught at various schools throughout the United Kingdom until his retirement in 1982. His first trip to the United States was in 1982. He purchased a motor home and toured the country for six months with his first wife Grace. She passed away in 1999 and in the year 2000, while visiting his daughter Valerie in Fountain Hills, he met Sally and they married in Scotland on November 9, 2000. Their life together was truly a love unmatched. His 100th birthday was celebrated with family and friends. He received a letter from both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew congratulating him on his birthday and remembering him for his extraordinary accomplishments. Raymond had an incredible life, was a kind, caring, remarkable man and will be missed by all who loved him. As his sister-in-law, Betty would say, “He was one in a billion”.