Doctor Raymond Lee Kercher

Doctor Raymond Lee Kercher, 91, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 11, 2025, at his home in Monticello, Florida. Born November 2, 1933, in Uniontown, Indiana, to Charles and Rosalyn (Ellis) Kercher, he was a devoted husband, father, physician, and friend.Raymond was an active member of the Monticello Church of Christ. At 18 years old, he joined the U.S. Army which took him overseas into the Korean War. Injured, he returned to the U.S. and was hospitalized for nearly a year. Through the G.I. Bill, he attended The Ohio State University, and he met his wife of 62 years, Delores, while attending medical school there. After completing their residencies at Akron Children's Hospital, they practiced pediatrics together in Medina, Ohio and Klamath Falls, Oregon. Raymond returned to the military in 1974 and was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida. He later trained in radiology at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and following, was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida where he practiced radiology and was Chief of Hospital Services. After achieving rank of full colonel, he left the military in 1985 to establish a diagnostic center in Indian Harbor Beach, Florida. In 2000, he retired to Monticello to farm peanut hay but remained a consultant and covering physician for the U.S. Air Force and others well into his 80s.He is survived by his children, Delanne Amonett (Rodney) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sharalyn Smith (Robin) of Corydon, Indiana, Michael (Tina) Kercher of Cleveland, Georgia, Donna Holden (Robert) of Easley, South Carolina, Paul Kercher of Atlanta, Georgia, Timothy Kercher (Tammy) of Monticello, Florida, and Kerri Van Cleave (Jim) of Corpus Christi, Texas. He was also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.He is preceded in death by his wife, Delores; daughter, Darlene; his parents; two sisters; and two brothers.Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 16, 2025, in the Beggs Funeral Home Chapel in Monticello, Florida. The visitation began at 9 a.m.