Raymond Gerdes

            Raymond Gene Gerdes passed away July 24 at a Hospice care center. He was born to Henry J. and Ernestine Gerdes May 1, 1933 in Oklahoma City. Gerdes graduated from Central High School in 1951 and attended Oklahoma City University. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict as a deep sea diver from 1951 to 1955. He was stationed aboard the U. S. S. Los Angeles, after she was converted to the first guided missile ship in the U. S. Navy. During his tour of duty he was assigned to ports in Hong Kong, Pearl Harbor and the South China Sea. He was recalled to action at the close of the Vietnam War for a confidential mission involving the top Navy divers in the country.  Before and after his military service, he worked for the John A. Brown Department Store and was assistant manager of Brown"™s Penn Square store. After  Dayton Hudson acquired Brown"™s, Ray was in the construction division, planning the remodel of the Penn Square store, and construction of the Quail Springs...