Charles Raymond Cousins, the son of Thomas Alonzo and Rinda Bell (Thomas) Cousins, was born January 20, 1927 at home east of Griswold. He died January 22, 2018, at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold, IA, at the age of 91 years and 2 days.

Raymond attended the "Baughman" Country School #2, east of Griswold, until the eighth grade. He graduated from Griswold High School with the class of 1944. Raymond enlisted in the Navy in December of 1944 and served on the U.S.S. Repose as a radioman until his honorable discharge on August 5, 1946. On August 17, 1946, he was united in marriage to Marian Irene Morton at the Griswold Methodist Church. Four children were born to this union: Marilyn, Kenneth, Mary Sue, and Beverly. They began farming and ran a dairy farm in the spring of 1947. In 1966, they moved into town. Raymond continued to live at his home until recently when he moved to the Griswold Assisted living.  He married Norma Lee Fickle in 2003 and split their time living between Griswold and Castle Rock, CO.

Raymond had been a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher at the Central Church of Christ for over 50 years.  He served on the board of Nebraska Christian College for 24 years. Raymond was chairman of the board for the first year of the Griswold Community Schools in 1958 -'59.  He also  served on the board of Mid States Christian Evangelist Association, and on the board for 3 years of the Iowa Christian Convention. He was a member of the Griswold Optimist for many years.

He enjoyed traveling in his later life to various places that included China, France, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington DC and Branson.  His favorite pastime in the last 20 years was to paint houses and buildings for friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marian on December 14, 2001, and his wife Norma Lee on August 4, 2014; his grandchildren: Kristen Olsen, Erica Olsen and Jeff Potter; his brother Daniel Thomas Cousins; and his parents.

Raymond is survived by his children: Marilyn Olsen-Lager and husband Ken of Sioux City, IA, Kenny Cousins and wife Stephanie of Griswold, IA, Mary Sue Potter and husband Max of Griswold, IA, and Beverly Munden and husband Mike of Winter Garden, FL; his grandchildren: Derek, Kendra, Alycia, Landon, Brent, Carrie, Heather, Marie, and David; fifteen great-grandchildren; his step children, Diana Bramer and husband Keith, and Kathy Moore and husband Lawrence; his step grandchildren: Todd, Dena, Missy, Dawn, and Crystal; and twelve step great grandchildren.   He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.