James Elmer Raehn's Obituary
A grandchild of proud and talented immigrants to America, James Raehn was the second oldest of seven children in the family of Rita and F. Elmer Raehn of the Brighton Heights neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
At age 11, he delivered the local newspapers in Pittsburgh for 3 years before going to work at the local pharmacy. He dreamed of going to college to become a pharmacist one day, but the realities of college costs delayed his education beyond Oliver High School. He participated in both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (and as an adult served as a Boy Scout Leader). Then Jim joined the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1960 to 1964 at Lackland Air Force Base, Chanute Air Force Base, and lastly, Andrews Air Force Base, where he met and shortly thereafter married his wife of 61 years, Jane, at the chapel on Andrews Air Force Base. He and his devoted wife loved to travel together and learn about the histories, perspectives, and cultures of various people. He valued eating local food specialties; he appreciated local artisans’ work; and he relished hearing stories and explanations of different people’s lifestyles with respect and admiration. He always continued to learn throughout his life and encouraged others to do the same. He enjoyed sharing what he learned with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
He was pre-deceased by his parents and siblings Judith A. Graff (Bill), Ronald W. Raehn (Val) and Patricia Ann McCauley (Robert A., Sr.) and his heroes, uncles Marcus P. Raehn (USN), Walter J. Raehn (USA), Francis Corcoran (USA), Laurence Corcoran (USA) and Robert Corcoran (USA) and his brother in law, Robert McCauley (USA). James is survived by his siblings, Marilyn Carr (Joe), Richard Raehn, and Thomas Raehn (Carol). Also, surviving family includes his wife, Jane, and his children, James Michael (Maria), Mary J. Lindsey (Matthew), and David Aaron (Patricia), grandchildren Joseph Lindsey, Christie Lindsey (Hailey), Dylan Raehn, Anna Rose Hare, David A. Raehn II (Andrea), James Austin Raehn, Adeline N. Martin (D’Angelo), Joseph Alexander Raehn, and Dawson Raehn, and great-grandchildren Aryanna Raehn, Gunner Raehn, Christopher A. Raehn, James P. Raehn, Arlo, and Kaladin Martin.
Jim and Jane raised their young children on an idyllic property at Love Point, Kent Island, on the shore of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, before moving to Delaware in 1975. He volunteered with the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department and assisted as their treasurer and with the Civil Air Patrol on Kent Island with search and rescue. During his lifetime, he assisted in different capacities with his local parishes. He was well-known as a talented mechanic and was certified as a steamfitter after completing a 5-year apprenticeship, maintaining a career as a steamfitter. He and his wife loved spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, particularly summer vacations with Par 3 golf, swimming lessons, and fishing on Beauchamp’s pier. He always enjoyed a good joke and never met a stranger.
On July 18, 2025, after his memorial mass at 10:00 a.m. at Precious Blood Catholic Church, 114 E. Edmondson Street, Culpeper, VA, the burial will be at Culpeper National Cemetery, 305 U.S. Avenue, Culpeper, VA, at 11:00 a.m. A time of fellowship and light refreshments will be available following the interment at Precious Blood Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (we were always grateful for our children’s health) or the American Cancer Society.
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