Raymond A. Johnson, 88, Newell, died Friday, September 30, 2011 at his home near Newell.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Hope Cemetery in Newell with Pastor Sean Carney officiating and military honors.

A lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to VA Black Hills Hospice at Fort Meade.

Raymond was born August 24, 1923 on the family ranch near Deers Ears. He attended country school and at the age of 14 he went to work for area ranchers. He broke horses and punched cows until he enlisted in the US Army. He was awarded a purple heart, one silver and one bronze star. Upon his honorable discharge he returned home to western South Dakota where he continued to cowboy. He worked ranches in North Dakota and also Montana.

He married Sue Hedrick at Sturgis on February 14, 1973.

Raymond bred, trained and raced quality horses for many years.

He won the Central States Fair Futurity race both July 1980 and June 1981 with the same horse. He was also known for his ability to witch wells.

Raymond was a member of the VFW, American Quarter Horse and American Paint Horse associations.

Survivors include his wife Sue, Newell; sons Randall and his wife

Patricia, Littleton, CO, Mike and his wife Marlys, Lakewood, CO, Dary and his wife Cyndi, Terrel, TX; daughters, Rita and husband Don, Piedmont, Sherrill and her husband Malcom, Centerville, OH, Barbara and husband Deek, Custer, SD, Raylene and her husband Mike, Sturgis, Cathy and her husband Ray, Auburn, WA, Dusty of Park City, UT, Robin and her husband Shayne, Cheyenne, WY; also numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, and one brother.

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