Funeral for Raymond Morrow Albert, age 97, of Decatur will be Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Decatur, with Reverend Hughey Reynolds officiating. Enurnment will be at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Ridout’s Brown-Service is assisting the family.
Mr. Albert, who died Wednesday, April 6, 2016, was born on April 2, 1919, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Fernon and Amanda Zimmerman Albert. As a young man, he graduated from East Lansdown High School and earned money by playing saxophone with the Philadelphia Transit Band. His musical ability allowed him to go to Valley Forge Military Academy. Graduating in 1942 from Iowa State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Mr. Albert served in the U.S. Army Air Corp, and was stationed in Alaska. There, he trained soldiers in chemical warfare defense, and earned the rank of second lieutenant. After World War II, Mr. Albert worked at American Viscose, and in 1952 was recruited to Chemstrand/Monsanto of Decatur developing Acrilan fibers. He continued to be in the Army Reserves, and upon retirement was a full colonel. While in Decatur, he bought a small cabin on the bank of the Tennessee River in Town Creek. There, he enjoyed sailing, tennis, and building both a large dock and a house with his family. For many years, he and his wife, Betty, were snowbirds, living in Fort Myers and St. Petersburg, Florida. For the past two years, he enjoyed living at Riverside Assisted Living, and was known for taking long walks every morning along the shoreline. Mr. Albert has been a fixture at First United Methodist Church. He was a faithful member of the choir, and for many years drove the bus for senior outings. In the community, he was very active in the Civitan organization, and several tennis leagues. Mr. Albert was the spiritual center of his family. His faith in God and his love of music have given strength and happiness to generations of family and friends.
Mr. Albert was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Housh Albert; his parents and two brothers, Ronald Albert and Melvin Albert. Survivors include five children, Madeleine Rae Sparks (Wayne, dec.), Daniel Housh Albert (Elizabeth), Charles Fernon Albert (Lane), Elizabeth Ann Albert (Michael Loving) and John Christopher Albert (Lisa); seven grandchildren, Jennifer Kontak, Daniel Albert, Emily Taibl, Joseph Albert, Joshua Albert, Jackson Albert, Samuel Albert and Gabriel Loving; a nephew, Bruce Albert; a grand-niece, Elizabeth Beech and 13 great- grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to the First United Methodist Church Music fund, 805 Canal St. NE, Decatur, AL 35601.
