Obituary of Raymond Curran Jr.

Raymond Allen Curran, Jr. 75, of Wadsworth, IL, passed from this world into the arms of our Lord on June 1, 2023.

Raymond Jr. was born November 7, 1947, in Waukegan, IL. to Raymond and Gladys Curran. After a near fatal delivery, Raymond Jr. survived with special needs, requiring love and care for the rest of his life. Raymond Sr. and Gladys felt it was their God-given responsibility to directly care for Raymond, and he lived with them until 2012. Raymond then lived with and was cared for by his sister Jean (Lex) and brother-in-law Tom Lex, Sr. until their deaths in 2022. After being cared for by his nephew Tom Lex, Jr. and niece Christy Lex and their children, Raymond Jr. became a resident of Clearbrook Commons in Rolling Meadows where he was lovingly cared for by the staff until his death.

Raymond was never able to attend traditional schooling, he was not able to read, write, nor communicate normally, but he enjoyed people and life! For a short period of time in the 1950’s, Raymond attended the former Parkside School for retarded children which was held in a nursery room of the Zion College Building provided by the Christian Catholic Church (Christ Community Church).

Raymond Jr. would sometimes color pictures with crayons and play with wooden puzzles and he often enjoyed watching “old” T.V. shows and movies along with looking through picture albums!

Raymond, Jr enjoyed riding in Raymond Sr’s. boats on Lake Michigan, riding in any car or van, and in his younger years, he enjoyed riding his three-wheeled Schwinn bicycle with the basket on the back and some of his belongings in it! Raymond Jr always enjoyed family and friends visiting and he would always get very excited, point, and try to call out to them while having a big smile on his face and waving! Raymond Jr loved stuffed animals, and anytime he left the house, he insisted on taking one with him along with wearing one of his hats! Some of Raymond Jr’s favorite foods were McDonald’s Cheeseburgers, White Castle sliders, and watermelon!

Raymond Jr was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys (Richardson) Curran, his father, Raymond Curran Sr, his sister, Jean (Lex), brother-in-law, Thomas Lex, Sr, and his sister Gayle (DeNardis). He is survived by his brother, Ronald Curran, and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, at 11:00 AM in the chapel at Mount Olivet Memorial Park, 1436 Kenosha Rd, Zion, IL. with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Clearbrook. You can donate directly at https://www.clearbrook.org/donate/ Please put Raymond Curran, Jr in the section for Tribute Gift.