Mark S. Raymond, age 71, of Helena

Mark S. Raymond (1953– 2025)

Known to many for his trustworthiness, hard work, and overall dedication to helping others, Mark Raymond, 71, of Helena, passed away after a battle with metastatic cancer.

He was born in Helena in 1953 to Dan and Elizabeth “Betty” Raymond. They raised him alongside his older sister Kathy mostly out at Canyon Ferry lake. It was out there where he spent the majority of his life except for his time serving in the Navy out of San Diego. Growing up he spent a lot of his childhood outside with fond memories of his time spent up Magpie Gulch at the family cabin and surrounding areas. Family time up at Magpie was partially spent learning the importance of a can-do attitude and figuring out how to get things done when you don’t have many resources to work with. In fact much of this family sweat equity was incorporated in many aspects of his parent’s forever home in Cave Gulch. Mark attended various schools before graduating from Helena High in 1971. After high school he joined the U.S Navy from 1975 – 1981 serving aboard the U.S.S. Anchorage (LSD-36) as a Hull Maintenance Technician. Over those years he grew in leadership responsibilities and by the time he was discharged he had achieved the rank of  Petty Officer First Class (HT1). It was during these years he spent traveling the Pacific Ocean on multiple Westpac tours and took many classes learning skills such as welding and firefighting among other things. During the story of one of his final deployments, he would notably mention how as things were heating up elsewhere in the world, his ship got to have a relaxing voyage to Djibouti, Africa. This trip was different for them as they were on a good will mission to deliver a ferry boat. After his time in the Navy he briefly went into the Reserves (which took him to Germany and made him extremely close to having been completely around the world). He tried many different jobs bouncing around doing everything from welding, general construction, mining, building/delivering store display fixtures all over the U.S., and he eventually settled in on custom cabinet making (like his dad did). He did this for many years up until 2012 with great pride, quality, and craftsmanship. Much of his work could be seen going into custom houses all around Townsend, MT. It was after this time he got his “retirement job” working at Lowe’s as their Pro Services sales consultant. Here he enjoyed meeting and working closely with multiple contractors around Helena many of whom he came to consider as good friends.

Mark married the love of his life, Rose, in 1991 at which point she immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines. Over the early years there were many missteps, steep learning curves, times of growth, and  lots of traveling in their old retired U-haul (from which there are many stories) but they made it through them all. Through the years though they carved out a nice life out at Canyon Ferry Lake where they have resided in the same house since 1999.

Mark and Rose were excited to finally create a family of their own in 1994. His son Justin meant the world to him from that point on and he was always active and supportive in his son’s life. This was evident especially when it came to him being an active adult member with the Boy Scouts of Troop 212. He told his doctor at the end when she had asked “What’s one of the best things you have done in life?” that these times were some of the best because they were spent with his son. However, a family is incomplete without a few good dogs along the way and he had a particular soft spot for German Shepherds. Ever since the 70’s it was rare for him to not have one by his side and of course the only name he ever chose was “Foreman” because they’re the boss.

Another aspect of Mark’s life that he looked back proudly on was his time with the former Canyon Ferry Volunteer Fire Department (now part of Tri-Lakes). After having gone through firefighting school with the Navy, volunteering his time to protect the community was an easy decision. While with them in the early 90’s there was only fire fighting, no medical  services currently being provided and so he helped change that. He took it upon himself alongside two other amazing women to set up the QRU and EMS program for the fire department. They all worked hard to get their First Responder and eventually EMT-B certifications so they could knowledgeably serve the community. For many years it was only these three providing medical services to the people of Canyon Ferry (a fact that speaks highly to their dedication) which helped countless numbers of people in a time of need.

Mark will always be remembered for his strength and dedication to his family. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband and father, and will miss Mark every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who had the opportunity to love and work with him.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Dan and Elizabeth “Betty” (Mattice), and is survived by his wife Rosemarie (Colifleres), son Justin (Jasmyne) (of Billings), older sister Kathleen “Kathy”(Kenneth “Kenny”) Hanson (of Melville) their family Ky, Nichole, Torston, and Kari, and numerous other family members in the Helena area.

Memorial is on 6-27-25 at 9:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, with the internment immediately after at 10:30 at Fort Harrison, and the reception to follow that at 11:30 at St. John’s. Arrangements are being handled by Anderson, Stevenson, and Wilke Funeral home. Donations to St. John’s (1000 Helena Ave. Helena MT, 59601) in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.

Service Schedule

Celebration of His Life

9:00 am

Friday June 27, 2025

St. John's Lutheran Church

1000 Helena Av.e

Helena, MT 59601

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Burial with Military Honors

10:30 am

Friday June 27, 2025

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

3550 Heroes Road

Fort Harrison, MT 59636

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Funeral Reception

11:30 am

Friday June 27, 2025

St. John's Lutheran Church

1000 Helena Avenue

Helena, MT 59601

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