Raymond Hampton DeGroat

Obituary of Raymond Hampton DeGroat
(Please do not share on any social media platforms, per the request of the family)

Ray was the only child born to the late Daniel and Helen Faye DeGroat on June 16, 1940 in Pontiac, Michigan. 

At the early age of 8, Raymond was earning money collecting crickets and selling them to the fisherman for bait.  He saved enough money to buy a red wagon, using it on his paper route delivering newspapers.  He helped his mother in the family restaurant called, “DeGroat’s Chew ‘n Chat” and her beauty salon, “The Pretty Ladies”.  As a teenager he worked at the library. He bought his first motorcycle, trained to box, ran track, played pool, saxophone, clarinet and studied piano.  While in high school, he got special recognition in his hometown newspaper for an unassisted triple play. The story is he was an infielder, caught a line drive (one out), stepped on a base to double off a runner (two outs), and then tagged another runner on the runner's way to the next base (three outs)!

Shortly after graduating from Central High School, in Flint Michigan, he joined the US Air Force in 1959. He held 10 different positions in 10 years in the Air Force. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Management and Finance and enjoyed traveling the world and learning new cultures and languages such as in Thailand, and Barcelona, Spain, Turkey, and Germany and others.  He was trained in medical technology serving as a surgical dental assistant, administrative aid to Colonels and Generals handling top secret information and prior to leaving the Air Force, he was a top recruiter where he directed all paid advertising and publicity throughout Michigan.  He handled contract negotiations with broadcast and print media, market analysis, accounting and instructing recruiters throughout Michigan in advertising techniques.   He retired from the Air Force after more than 20 years, but he did not stop there.  He studied architecture, real estate and pursued a second career with the US Army as the Director of Cooperative Education Program (Co-op).   He was extremely outgoing and had a wealth of information to share with anyone.  His excellent public speaking led him to his passion to help young people get a fair start in life.  He traveled throughout the US to high schools, Historical Black Colleges and Universities, hospitals and to Civic groups recruiting Engineers, Consultants, and Attorneys and achieved 160% to 200% recruitment targets for the Tank Automotive Command (TACOM). In 1982 he recruited, Carletta McKenzie, to assist him with the Co-op program that he had developed.  He worked in Management and Employee Relations before leaving TACOM in 1984 to work as an investigator for US Labor Department. 

 In 1989 Ray and Carletta married.  They built a home in Mount Clemens, Michigan, living there from 1990-2003.  He was a crooner, and would sing songs to his wife like, “If I don’t love you baby, Grits ain’t groceries”, “What you won’t do for love” and “This Magic Moment.” Each year Ray and Carletta planned vacations to Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Jamaica (their favorite), Bahamas, Mexico, and Egypt.  Ray was searching for a warm climate for them to retire.

A handsome dapper dresser, Ray honed his skills working at Blackstone’s Men’s Clothing Store 1970-1980.  He had a keen eye for style and earned more money on the sidelines putting together outfits for the women who needed help to dress their husbands.  He would have several complete styles for them to choose from. 

An honorable and spiritual man, he believed in the higher power of God.  Would often sing gospels around the house, his favorite “Oh Lord, I want  you to help me, help me on my journey, help me on my way, oh Lord I want you to help me,” and “God is able, just to carry me through.” He loved reading and had a library of books based on religions, histories, biographies, health, wealth, and politics. One book that inspired him was, “Bits and Pieces”, a collection of anecdotes, quotes, humor, wisdom, and success stories from the magazine.   He said, “You don’t always have to experience everything, when you can read what others have done and learn from their mistakes.” Humorous; people enjoyed his quick wit. He famously said, “Stay out of trouble, leave people alone; and don’t bother nobody!” On how to fight he had advised you to, “Document it in writing, it’s like fly paper, because whoever receives it, it sticks to their hand, they can’t shake it off, they’ve got to respond.”

 In his search for warm weather, he chose Las Vegas, saying, “Las Vegas has options” to enjoy retirement. After more than 40 years of work, he retired in 2002. Ray and Carletta settled down in a newly developed suburb, in Henderson, Nevada in 2003.    Ray was not a gambler, but he said, “Las Vegas is building up like mad!” He enjoyed going out to dinner and the shows and he had about as many closets of clothes, shoes, and hats as his wife. Ray loved to watch old musicals and dramas often admiring how elegantly they dressed back then. He loved all kinds of music including gospels, jazz, R&B old and new school, Rap, and dancing.  His favorite Rapper was Tupac who happened to be born on the same day as Ray.  In 2019 Ray’s 79th birthday was on Father’s Day.  He celebrated by dancing on stage at the Mandalay Bay Gospel Brunch in Las Vegas. There is a video!

He joked that he was a “Jack of all trades and master of none.”  Often quoted his Grandpa Grier, saying “All I’ve ever known is work.” And he said, “Life’s a journey, It’s a journey; what a journey.”

On Monday afternoon, February 22, 2021, after a phone call with his wife comforting him in prayer as he battled illness, Ray passed away peacefully, at the age of 80.

 He leaves to cherish his memory Carletta DeGroat, his devoted wife of 31 years, Son Craig Steven (Terri) DeGroat, Daughter Kelley Dru DeGroat, Stepson Mario McKenzie, and Stepdaughter Katina Semia McKenzie.  Aunt Virginia Vaugh, Aunt Nita Davis, Uncle Carlos Grier, First Cousin Drs. AbdulRahman (Maha)

Al-Naimi, Dr Jilda (Herman) Motley, Dr. Robert (Patricia) Grier, Beverly Grier, Denise Davis, Marietta Phinesee, four brothers’ in-laws, Rodney Parnell Sawyer, Felix (Angela) Sawyer, Ernest (Linda)Sawyer, Three Sisters in-laws; Lucy Edith Honor, Rose Bud Featherstone, Felecia Sawyer and a host of relatives, friends, and acquaintances.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.