Raymond Eurquhart

Obituary For Raymond Eurquhart

Raymond Lee Eurquhart Obituary

Our community sadly lost a pillar on Monday, March 30th, 2020. Mr. Raymond Lee Eurquhart, favorably known as “Bro Ray,” passed away at 72 years of age. Raymond was born in Durham, North Carolina on February 19th, 1948 to Mrs. Mary Eurquhart Williams.

In 1966, Bro Ray graduated from Hillside High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1967. He served in the United States Air Force from June 14th, 1967 - June 13th 1973. He received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award and the National Defense Service Medal.

While serving his county in England he met and married the late Susan Feely. To this union, they were blessed to have one daughter.

In 1973, he attended Durham Technical Institute and earned his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.

After receiving his Associate’s Degree, Bro Ray began working for The American Tobacco Factory where he worked until the company closed in 1987. He later began working for the City of Durham in the Plant Maintenance and Engineering Department. Raymond was elected to the office of the Soil and Water Conservation Division—serving as District Supervisor for twenty years.

Bro Ray was well known for his extensive work and efforts throughout the Durham Community; especially the South Side and Hayti Community where he grew up. He was a member of the Durham County Board of Elections. He served as a Diversity Council Member for the City of Durham 1998-2003. He received the Neighborhood Hero Award in 2005 from The Inter-neighborhood Council of Durham for his service, time and humility in making his neighborhood and community a better place to live. He later opened a Community Center in the heart of the South Side on Enterprise Street. The Center was used for neighborhood meetings; after school programs; tutoring; mentorship; and back to school supply drives. He was awarded the Neighborhood Hero Award of the St. Theresa Neighborhood.

In 2010, he was announced winner of the Citizen Award from Indy Week News for his tireless dedication to making his community a better place to live; honoring him for his ability to inspire other citizens to action and for giving them tools to be effective; he organized workers’ unions and helped fight for fair housing and worker’s rights. In 2015, he was presented the People’s Award for his unwavering efforts to achieve social justice for working class people; his dedication and mentorship in the fight for wages; affordable housing; and environmental stewardship. In 2019, Bro Ray received the Community Leadership Award. While retired Bro Ray continued to fight the fight. He was apart of the board of commissioners for Durham housing. He actively participated with voter registration and helping at the voting polls each year. He loved the South Side, the people, and he stood for change. He lived to see that “change” in his South Side community where he worked endless hours to transform what he had envisioned for years. While influencing and inspiring everyone he came in contact with, Bro Ray was truly one of a kind.

Ray is survived by his mother, Mary Eurquhart Williams, daughter, Patricia Eurquhart Feely, grandson, Kemionne Eurquhart Feely, aunt, Jacqueline Eurquhart Jones, and a host of relatives and friends. We are going to miss him dearly!