Raymond Edsell Cyrus

RAYMOND EDSELL CYRUS, 78, of Huntington, was called home by his Lord to rejoin his mother for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 12, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Edward and Armilda Lowe Cyrus; brothers Lemmie Lowell and Charles Wallace Cyrus; and sister Ivalee Faye Earls. He is survived by his sons Troy Lance Cyrus (Deb) of Hamilton, Ohio, and Gregory Todd Cyrus (Sheri) of Crestview, Fla.; grandchildren Nicholas Troy Cyrus of Louisville, Chad Lance Cyrus of Hudson, Ohio, and Sierra Beth Cyrus of Louisville; Joshua, Andrew, Jacob Lee and Jenna Marie Cyrus of Crestview, Fla.; great-grandchildren Jade Madison Johnson and Juliann Ottesen of Hamilton, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews. He was lovingly cared for by Pamela Sturgis and, in more recent years, by staff at River's Bend Nursing Home in Burlington, Ohio. Edsell served his country in the United States Marine Corps. After military service, he returned to Huntington and married Shelby Jean Houchin (estranged). He served as a Huntington police officer and was later employed by Armco (AK) Steel in Ashland, where he remained until his retirement. Edsell spent time pursuing his passion as both an amateur and professional boxing coach. He served as the coach for the VFW Post No. 1064 team and was chosen as the first permanent state coach for the West Virginia team that participated at the National Golden Gloves. He was a member of numerous service and philanthropic organizations such as the VFW, DAV, Elks, Moose, Eagles and FOP. He also enjoyed playing shuffleboard and watching Marshall football. Funeral services will be conducted at Reger Funeral Chapel at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, with Rev. Bill Holley officiating. Burial will follow at Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013, and from noon until service time on Wednesday at the Reger Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Hospice of Huntington or the Alois Alzheimer Center. Condolences may be made to the family at www.timeformemory.com/reger.