Homer R. Raleigh

Mr. Homer Richard Raleigh, age 95, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2011. Mr. Raleigh was born in Eolia, Kentucky on June 3, 1916, the son of the late Samuel Henry Raleigh and Samantha Caudill Raleigh. Mr. Raleigh served in the 3rd Army during World War II under General George Patton. Sergeant First Class Raleigh was responsible for pontoon bridges for tanks and soldiers to cross rivers where bridges had been destroyed or did not exist. He was involved in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day going ashore at Omaha Beach. Mr. Raleigh was involved in the Battles and Campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes-Alsace Campaign, better known as the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Raleigh was a retired locomotive engineer for the L and N Railroad. He was a Master Mason, member of Dolcito Masonic Lodge No. 596 F and AM (Tarrant, Alabama), a member of the Order of Eastern Star (Boyles Chapter No. 104), a member of The Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem (Birmingham Shrine No. 5), a member of the Supreme Council of the Order of the Amaranth serving in various state and national positions, and a member of Zamora Shrine Temple (Birmingham, Alabama). Mr. Raleigh is survived by his wife, Mildred Jo Swinney Raleigh of Birmingham and one son and his wife, Richard J. Raleigh Sr. and Marcia R. Raleigh of Griffin, Georgia. He is also survived by two grandsons and two great grandchildren, Richard J. Raleigh Jr. and wife Shannon E. Raleigh of Huntsville, Alabama and Benjamin H. Raleigh of Birmingham, Alabama. Grandchildren Richard J. Raleigh III and Sarah Medders Raleigh of Huntsville. Sisters, Nettie Raleigh Craiger of Kentucky and Lovell Raleigh Carrier of Birmingham, Alabama and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Mr. Homer R. Raleigh will be on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Birmingham. Dr. Keith Wesley will officiate. Friends may visit the family from 1p.m. until 2 p.m. in the visitation room of Jefferson Memorial Home, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or 1-800-DIABETES

Homer R. Raleigh

June 3, 1916 - December 4, 2011