Raymond Castle

Raymond H. Castle, 74, of Bemidji, Minnesota, died March 18, 2007, Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, from a drug resistant blood infection during his recovery from open heart surgery.
Funeral Services were held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2007, from Tenstrike Community Church in Tenstrike with Pastor Patrick Spicer officiating. Full military honors were provided by American Legion Ralph Gracie Post # 14 of Bemidji. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery of Bemidji at a later date. Active pallbearers were Karlie Castle, Douglas Castle, Matthew Castle, Karl Johnson, Lee Johnson, and Alex Gillie. Honorary pallbearers were Darwin Jacobs, Ron Johnson, Mickey Winger, Frank Fowler, Al Kendall, Henry Souder, Larry Chastic, Larry Leeper, Gene Leeper, Denis Black, Steve Baltes, Jerry Hackett, George Mitchell, Denny Davis, and all his friends from Castle Highlands Golf Course.
Raymond Henry Castle was born March 14, 1933, in Buffalo, Minnesota, the son of John W. and Harriet A. (Varner) Castle. He graduated from Wayzata High School in 1951. He participated in track and field, running the mile, setting a regional record in 1950. After high school Raymond enlisted in the United States Army on his 18th birthday. He served during the Korean Conflict and attained the rank of private first class. He was awarded a Korean Service Ribbon with four Bronze Campaign Stars, the National Defense and United Nations Service Medals. He was honorably discharged in March of 1954.
After his discharge Raymond worked during the summer as a janitor at the Forest Inn of Itasca State Park. It was there that he met a waitress working at Douglas Lodge who would be his future wife. He then worked at Spring Park Hardware in Spring Park.
Raymond was united in marriage to Dorothy Jean Gillie on January 15, 1956, at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Williams. After their marriage he attended Traffic Management School and the Mohler Barber College in Minneapolis. They moved to Bemidji where he worked as an apprentice barber for Minor Bakke in the downtown area. Upon earning his master barber’s license, Raymond owned and operated his own barber shop at various locations in Bemidji. He lived in rural Bemidji on the Turtle River raising beef cattle for a number of years. In 1968 he began construction of the Castle Highlands 9 hole golf course on his property. He opened the course to the public in 1970. He then immediately started construction of an additional 9 holes which was completed in 1975. Later he added a championship driving range. He realized his dream, and his vision was achieved with the help of his wife, two sons, and many friends. After 20 years as pro/owner, Raymond sold the golf course and retired to Turtle River Lake. Upon retiring, he could then pursue his other passions: hunting, fishing, trapping, photography, painting, sculpture, and woodworking, and he became an accomplished stain glass artist. He loved sharing stories of his adventures and diverse life experiences always with properly used embellishment. He loved to cook developing many of his own recipes.
Over the course of his lifetime Raymond was a member of the Bemidji JayCees, Bemidji Elks Club, American Legion Post #14 of Bemidji, Bemidji Curling Club, Bemidji Town and Country Club, Blackduck Golf Course, the National Rifle Association, and was a lifetime member of the Castle Highlands Golf Course.
Survivors include his wife, Jean of Bemidji; two sons: Kurt (Linda) Castle of Greenwood, Wisconsin, and Brad (Renae) Castle of Pinewood; four grandchildren: Karlie Jean Castle, Douglas Edward Castle, Matthew James Castle, and Lindsay Mae Ellingson; one great-grandson, Keon Jace Ellingson; siblings: Julia (Gene) Davis of Laporte, John (Deb) Johnson of Buffalo, Patricia Johnson of Portland, Oregon, Jack (Vi) Castle of Butte, Montana, and Roger Castle of Butte, Montana.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his stepfather, Carl J.R. Johnson.
Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Public Television, Ray & Jean Castle Endowment. Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com.
Cease Funeral Home of Blackduck assisted the family with arrangements.