Biography: Raymond Rauch, 94, of Little Rock, died in Corpus Christi, Texas on Sunday, September 24, 2006. He was born in Runge, Tex. to the late Thomas and Carrie Lou Odom Rauch. He was a graduate of Robstown High School in Robstown, Tex., where, in his junior year, he was State Interscholastic Debate Champion. After graduation, he attended the University of Texas where he was in the Longhorn Band. Due to the Depression, Raymond was forced to leave school and began working with Louisiana Monument Company, in Shreveport, LA. After learning the monument business he moved to Little Rock and opened R. Rauch Memorial Co. It was during this time, in 1939, that he met and married Norma Cargill of Pine Bluff. On Labor Day of 1947, Raymond signed an agency contract with GPM Life Insurance and sold his monument business to his employees, loaning them the money for the down payment and guaranteeing the 14 year note. He then moved to Washington, DC and became a legend at GPM, setting many records that have not been equaled. After assuming management duties, he developed the biggest and most successful general agency that GPM has ever had. In 1975 he was moved to their home office in San Antonio, Tex. where he retired as Senior Vice-President of Marketing in December, 1980. Upon his retirement Raymond and Norma moved back to Little Rock, a place they dearly loved. Their life together was adventuresome and led to homes in Washington DC, Little Rock, San Antonio and a Maine wilderness retreat accessible only by air. Always together, Norma and Raymond visited every continent in the world. Their extensive travels included several trips to China and Russia, Cuba, the Islands, an anniversary gift of a 10 week tour of South America, and a trip up the Amazon River. His beloved wife of 56 years preceded him in death in 1996. Raymond’s passions included traveling, fly fishing - which took him to some of the best fishing spots in the U.S. and abroad, tennis and people. He was also known to play a mean game of cribbage. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. If there ever was a person that enjoyed life, that person was Raymond Rauch – as he said it, everything was “wonderful”. To him the sky was always beautiful, the flowers pretty and the young ones, adorable. The glass was always half full, never ever half empty. He was a joy to be around. In 2002, Raymond was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and slowly started fading from his many passions. It was hard to detect his condition when in public because he always was a gentleman who carried himself well. He was cared for in his remaining years by family members who, in 2005, moved him to Corpus Christi to be with his sister. If tears are ever shed for Raymond hopefully they will be tears of joy, for he lived a full life. Survivors include his sister, Ione Rauch Smith, and nephew, Tarlton “Toy” Smith, both of Corpus Christi, and a nephew, Homer Smith, Jr. of Ft. Collins, CO and their families. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home by The Very Reverend Henry Hudson. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral or a charity of your choice. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.