Raymond Sierks

Services have been postponed for Raymond Charles Sierks of Artesia, New Mexico. The family will have a memorial for Mr. Sierks at a later date.

Mr. Sierks, 99, died on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at his home in Artesia.

Ray was born on April 20, 1922 in Sioux City, Iowa to Peter A. Sierks and Elsie Martin Sierks.

He lettered in basketball in high school and following graduation he entered into the United States Navy on September 25, 1942.  His duty station was in Sampson, New York as a signalman instructor.  He served on the USS Haverfield in the Pacific Campaign as a destroyer escort and also on the USS Mount Katmai in the Commanders Escort Division.
He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.  He was discharged from the military on January 16, 1946 in San Pedro, California.

He returned to the family home in Roswell and worked at Walker Air Force Base where he met the love of his life Thelma Smith.  They were married on June 15, 1947.

He attended pharmacy school in Pocotello, Idaho on the GI Bill.  After graduation he returned to New Mexico and bought Ray's Drug in 1959 running it continuously until 1992.  He then worked in local pharmacies until 2019, retiring at the age of 97.

Ray was a father figure to more than just his daughters, but to numerous children that worked for him over the many years.  He was father to 4 generations, teaching them right from wrong, taking them for secrets, and teaching them to drive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mayola and Vivian, and by his loving wife Thelma.

He is survived by his daughters Susan Dickens of Artesia, Frances Ward of Artesia, and Rayma O'Connor of Carlsbad, NM; grandchildren Barbara and Kenny Pacheco, Pamela Roberson, Jennifer and Chad Frost, Janet and AJ Mayes, Rhonda Ward, David Pruett, and Daniel O'Connor; great-grandchildren Michael and Christina Lunsford, Brittany Wilkinson, Jimmy and Kimberly Wilkinson, Kami Frost, Grady and Kabryn Frost, Matthew Lunsford, Rylan and Alexandra Day, Chloe Pruett, Dylan Pruett, Jonathan Lunsford, Raymond Tyrell Ward, Sammie Jo Mayes, and Mackenzie Mayes; 11 great-great-grandchildren.