Sad News

[Scott Parrino]

My thoughts and prayers go to Roy and his family and friends, always sad to lose a fellow wargamer and fellow man.

[Deathtreader]

Hi all,

Updated info inc. funeral arrangements.


Hi,

This is Debbie again. I have Critter's funeral arrangements. His viewing will be Thursday between 4-8 pm. Services will be Friday at noon, then on to Jefferson Barricks. If you go to baue.com, go to obituaries, then look up Raymond Cheatham. This site will have pictures soon. You can also leave a memory message or story about Critter. I would love to hear some of his friends memories. I know his daughter would like it too.

Can you please pass this on to his friends here?

Thanks for your helping in getting the sad news out,
Debbie


Thanks all esp MoReb!!


Rob.

[Treetop64]

I never met him or communicated with him in the forums. Nevertheless, I still feel saddened by his loss.

RIP, Critter. [:(]

[Josh]

Link to the Baue obituary; http://baue.tributes.com/show/Raymond-W.-Critter-Cheatham-93812954

[ilovestrategy]

What is scary is that most of us are in his age group. That really makes me think.

[Barthheart]

ORIGINAL: ilovestrategy

What is scary is that most of us are in his age group. That really makes me think.

Yeah, 53 is very near to my own age. Way too young to be passing on yet. Very sad news.
[:(]

[Josh]

Well to me dying way too early feels like "unfinished business", or as an "unfinished life". There were so many things Roy could have done before he would have left this world, as we all have to go one time or another. And he just never gets to play the sequel of DC: Warsaw-to-Paris, he never will go to say Rome or Amsterdam. Some die at fifteen, some at fifty, and they never get the chance to do the things really old people have done in their lifetime. I've heard old folks sometime say; it's time, it's been a good life but now it's time to move on. Not at fifty though, it feels "not fair" and "unjust". But that's the way it is and all you can do is be silent, say a prayer and mourn the loss of a fellow wargamer.

[sysrkm]

Hello all,

When I got the original post in my blackberry, it mentioned a phone number for Debbie. Same area code as my home town in Southern Illinois. But it shows Critter as being from Marine Illinois, which is much closer to St. Louis, about 140 miles away.

Since I am going home for summer vacation, my girlfriend and I would like to stop by and pay our respects in person.

Does anyone know where Debbie lives? We're not going to get close to Marine Illinois in our travels, but if Debbie lives near my hometown, it's doable.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

I do echo the sentiments of most: Critter and I were nearly the same age. I'm actually older. I guess each day after the present one is a gift, don't take it for granted.

Regards all,

Rob McClure

[gids]

RIP ..and all the best for the family in this difficult time

[wodin]

sysrkm, go to the page linked further up where you can sign a book. You may be able to get the info you need from there.

[Missouri_Rebel]

Seems I misspoke and it is actually Ray. Sorry folks.

I swear Debbie refereed to him as Roy. I meant no harm.

[martok]

Well I'm back -- so to speak. I'm now in La Crosse, WI (got in last night around 10:00), getting ready to go visit my grandmother and attend the Syttende Mai festivities across the river in Spring Grove. Before I go, though, here's a quick report on my trip to St. Louis for the funeral:


Ray's memorial service went well (if that can be said for such an event). It was held at the funeral home, and was a fairly intimate gathering; I'd guess somewhere around 50 people were there, mostly family (I believe). Appropriately, he was being buried with his copy of Decisive Campaigns: The Blitzkrieg from Warsaw to Paris. I had to grin when I saw that!

The Patriot Guard riders were there in full force as well (for those who didn't know, critter served in the Navy when he was younger). I'd never seen them in person before, and they presented a most impressive -- and moving -- sight. I thanked them for their service, having promised myself I would do so should I ever have the opportunity.


Ray's ex-wife Linda (with whom he'd remained on good terms) found me shortly before the service began; she greeted me warmly, especially when I explained what I was doing there and how I knew Ray. She delightedly introduced me to his friend Greg, with whom he'd been playing wargames for the better part of 30 years. (We talked shop a little bit, despite his being clearly out of my league -- this guy's experience with the genre was orders of magnitude beyond my own -- and also got to learn a little bit more about critter in the process.) He was an incredibly nice guy, and we sat together during the service.

I also spoke with Ray's fiance Debbie afterwards, and she too was very glad to see me after I explained how I knew him. (In addition, I thanked her for informing us about his passing.) I told her and Linda about the Grogheads, Wargamer, and Matrix sites (I'd included the web addresses for all three in the card), and they said they would be sure to check out the threads dedicated to him. They seemed very touched by the fact that so many people whom they'd never even met were affected by Ray's death, and I made sure to let them know that they had our full sympathy and well-wishes.




Anyway, that's about all I got for now. I'm off to see my grandmother and stuff my face with fine Norwegian cuisine. Later guys!

[JSS]

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Knew Critter thru Matrix Games since 2003 or 4. Always a great guy and gentleman. Very sorry to hear of his passing.

[oldspec4]

Another loss way too early...R.I.P Ray.

[wodin]

Your a good man Martok.

[Zap]

Martok,

Thank you for your kindness and also representing us wargamers at Critters wake. We feel the loss when one of ours passes on.
My condolences to the family

[Noakesy]

Thank you for posting this. I used to play Critter regularly, we stopped last year after we'd exhausted the SSG games but still sent the occasional email of 'across the pond' type banter. He kept saying I should get that Blitzkrieg game so we could have a go at that but (as with many things) just never got around to it. Very sad news to hear this. Bloody hell. Most year's he would send a note on the anniversary of his daughter's death (she was very young I'm sure, I think her name was Cassie). I guess he's with her now. Rest in peace yankee.

[SLAAKMAN]

Most year's he would send a note on the anniversary of his daughter's death (she was very young I'm sure, I think her name was Cassie). I guess he's with her now. Rest in peace yankee.

Wow. That hurts even just to read. RIP.

John 11:25
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"

[martok]

It was my pleasure guys. [:)] I'm just glad I was able to work it out so I could attend.

ORIGINAL: SLAAKMAN

Most year's he would send a note on the anniversary of his daughter's death (she was very young I'm sure, I think her name was Cassie). I guess he's with her now. Rest in peace yankee.

Wow. That hurts even just to read. RIP.

Yeah, I noticed the obit said Ray was preceded in death by a daughter. I was going to ask his friend about that, but I didn't get the chance.

[AndyG1]

New game - Decisive Battles: Case Blue (follow up to the Warsaw to Paris game that Critter was buried with):-

P4 (opposite Contents) is this:-

"DEDICATION
In memory of
Raymond W. “Critter” Cheatham, Jr.,
from his friends at Matrix Games."

That is an awesome tribute - well done Matrix!