Memorial
Raymond Bernard Akers, 89, of Cedar Rapids passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Heritage Specialty Care. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A memorial service will follow the visitation and begin at 11:00 AM. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Raymond Akers; under the video tab starting at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Raymond was born November 21, 1934, to Edward and Beulah (Brown) Akers in Brookfield, Missouri. After graduating from McKinley High School, Raymond served in the U.S. Airforce from 1954 to 1957. Soon after his discharge, he returned to Cedar Rapids and married Donna Jean Chipley on November 21, 1958. Throughout his life, Raymond worked for many local companies including Penford (formerly Penick and Ford), Square D and General Mills where he retired in 2000.
Raymond was a dedicated husband and father. He was ALWAYS there for his children and grandchildren – unconditionally. He was a committed man of God. He could often be found reading his well-worn bible and engaging in religious “dialogue.” Sundays at the Akers’ house always began with him singing us out of bed and off to church services.
Raymond was playful. He liked to poke and tease. Although he had a blunt, sometimes biting sense of humor, he loved to laugh (with you or without you). Generous to a fault, he often gave away his – or Donna’s – treasured possessions, just…because. He liked “doing yards”; mowing grass and gardening. You could often hear him playing gospel music and singing while working outside or in his garage.
He was our irreplaceable provider and protector. We are grateful to have had the privilege of calling him husband, father, grandfather, friend, relative and Brother in Christ.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Donna Akers; son, Kyle (Janey) Akers, nephew Tooker (Kami) Chipley and “dummy”, Kendall (Renata) Akers; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his brother Brice Akers, along with many loving Godchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Jean, Delores, Charles, and Lyle-Wayne.
In lieu of flowers, the Akers family requests that donations be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association at the following link:
https://www.alz.org/. The family also wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the faculty and staff of the Heritage Specialty Care Center.