Raymond "Ray" Trimble, Jr.

IN MEMORY OF: Raymond “Ray” Trimble, Jr. Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – EGYPTIAN CHAPEL 3208 South Park Avenue, Energy, Illinois Raymond “Ray” Trimble, Jr., age 98, of Carterville, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at his home. He was born on May 28, 1926, in Sidell, Illinois, to Raymond, Sr. and Helen (McGee) Trimble. He was married to Mary Jo Trimble for 38 years and she survives. Ray served his country during World War II by enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve Air Program during his senior year in High School. His last operational duty was aboard the carrier USS Randolph in the North Atlantic as a member of the Torpedo Squadron #20 where he flew Grumman Avengers off the carrier deck. He then worked for McDonnell-Douglas as an aeronautical engineer working on the Heat Shield Project for spacecrafts and the Patriot Missile Program. Ray was most known for being a legend in the Brittany World. Ray’s involvement with the bird dog field trials started around the 1950s. He was the first pointing dog man to receive AKC’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the American Brittany Club Hall of Fame, the Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame, and was named a Living Legend by the Bird Dog Museum. Some of his accomplishments include winning the National Open All Age Championship in 1963 and the National All Age Amateur Championship in 1986. In 2017, Ray became what is believed to be the oldest person to win an American Field Amateur Championship. He was 90 years old and six months of age at the time. In 2021, Ray did one even better when he won, with his dog, Tuff, an American Field Open Championship. He was 94 years and six months of age. Ray was also an active member of the Hickory Ridge Senior Golfers and was a member of the former Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo; son, Mark (Carole) Trimble of Poplar Bluff, MO; step-daughter, Donna (Joey) Mott of Glenmora, LA; three grandchildren, Jamie (Liz) Trimble, Josh (Kelly) Trimble, and Alyssa (Johnnie) Spraggins; three step-grandchildren, Natasha Mott, Courtney Mott, and Zack (Laura) Mott; seven great great-grandchildren; and sister, Betty (Harold) Lareau. Along with his parents and his first wife, Ruby, he is preceded in death by his son, Scott Trimble. Funeral Services with military honors will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Crain Funeral Home Egyptian Chapel with Pastor Steve Utley officiating. Visitation will be held the day of the service from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Entombment will follow the service at Egyptian Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bird Dog Foundation (Brittany Wing) in Ray’s name at Bird Dog Foundation, 505 TN-57, Grand Junction, TN 38039 Crain Funeral Home in Energy is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond "Ray" Trimble, Jr.

May 28, 1926 - April 29, 2025