Raymond Mormino
August 1, 1920 — February 9, 2011
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Oakwood Cemetery
Raymond Mormino
Raymond Ross Mormino
August 1, 1920 - February 9, 2011
Raymond Ross Mormino, 90, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2011 at St. Louis Catholic Church by Msgr. Mark Deering assisted by Deacon Gregory George. Burial with military honors will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The rosary will be recited by Deacon George at 6:00 p.m. Friday, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., followed at 6:30 p.m. with a visitation with the family. A video tribute honoring his life will be shown during the visitation.
Raymond Ross Mormino was born August 1, 1920 in Waco to Sam and Hulda (Federwisch) Mormino, both immigrants who were in the grocery business in Waco. He attended Waco High School where he was an outstanding leader and athlete. He entered Baylor University, but when World War II broke out, he was ready to serve his country.
He was honored with an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at the age of 20, but one year later he switched to the Air Force where he became a navigator and bombardier. On January 23, 1944, Lt. Mormino and six other crew members took off from what is now Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana during one of their last training flights before D-Day. Shortly after the B-26 bomber took flight, one of its engines quit and the plane plummeted 1,000 feet before crashing onto the bombing range and erupting into white-hot flames. While the other crew members died, Mormino miraculously survived although his hands and face were terribly burned.
He endured more than 100 reconstructive surgeries in the 11 years that followed. His excellent physical fitness from being an active athlete all of his life and his deep religious commitment played key roles in his incredible survival.
Through the years, his face and hands were slowly rebuilt. Some of the elaborate skin grafs were break-through operations that were reported extensively in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Mormino resigned from the Air Force in 1946 as a First Lieutenant to return to Baylor University. Then came the second phase of his ordeal: facing people. His friendly disposition and undaunted determination prevailed, and Ray received his bachelor and law degrees at Baylor, graduating in 1949. He then began a career that eventually endeared him to all who knew him. After practicing law in Waco for three years, Ray was elected to his first public office, justice of the peace. He won more than an election - he won the battle to be looked upon simply as a normal human being. If he needed further proof, it strode into his office in the person of Jo Ann Durham McGrath. Ray and Jo Ann started dating, got married on January 7, 1956, and raised eight children.
In 1960, Mormino was elected the McLennan County Judge. During his ten years of service, he strove hard to lead the county to some of its greatest times of prosperity. On January 1, 1971, he became the first judge to preside over the 170th State District Court, serving in the office until his retirement in 1989.
During his long years of faithful service, Judge Mormino became one of McLennan County's best-known leaders. A familiar, cheerful figure around the courthouse, he was a hard-working leader in many of Waco's civic organizations, receiving a long list of honors and awards. He was active in St. Mary's Catholic Church and added his beautiful tenor voice to the church choir. When St. Louis Parish was formed, he joined St. Louis Catholic Church. He remained a good athlete, and also became an accomplished gardener who often donated fruits and vegetables to Caritas.
In 1967, he journeyed to Los Angeles to accept the National Handicapped American of the Year award.
People around McLennan County no longer gave Ray a second glance, they -- like his wife Jo Ann -- saw only the beautiful inner person. He was a compassionate, loving individual with a deep faith in God, love for his family and fellow man, and extraordinary sense of patriotism.
In 1994, Judge Mormino and 16 of his closest friends, including Judge Bill Logue and longtime Justice of the Peace John Cabiness, celebrated the golden anniversary of the fiery crash. Those attending acknowledged Ray's productive life since the accident and praised him for his many contributions he had made to society. The YMCA, Muscular Dystrophy, American Cancer Society, Caritas, EOAC, Waco Industrial Foundation, Waco-McLennan County Bar Association, Texas Bar, Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, United Fund, Chamber of Commerce, Light House of the Blind, McLennan County Health Board, County Juvenile Board, Booster Club, McLennan County Courthouse Restoration, and Waco Historic Foundation all benefited from his wisdom and dedicated leadership.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Mary Scarmardo, Vincent Young, Annie Lucy, Augusta Flanigan, Dorothy Phelps, and Sammy Mormino; mother-in-law, Seawillow McGrath; sister-in-law, Tommy Ray McGarth Rogers; and brother-in-law, Richard Durham.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jo Ann; children, Steven Mormino and wife Janet, Jamie Mormino, Raymond Ross Mormino II, Elizabeth Mormino and husband Richard Chung, Michael Joseph Mormino, Marc Desmond Mormino, and Christopher Mormino; grandchildren, Savanna Rose, Collin Rose, Loren Bemben and husband Steven, Brian Mormino, Kristen Bennett, and William Mormino; brothers-in-law, Ronald Durham and wife VeeBeth, Donald Durham and wife Helen, Douglas Durham, John Rogers, and Col. Robert Phelps, Ret.; sister-in-law, Seawillow Farrar and husband, Danny, and Helen DiStefano; 38 nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews; and many wonderful friends spanning 90 years.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews, Eric Farrar, Pat Farrar, Kevin Farrar, Corey Farrar, Collin Rose, and Brian Mormino.
Honorary pallbearers will be McLennan County judges, attorneys, and court staffs, John Fulbright, Tommy George, Ernest Simcik, John Simcik, Ed Morrow, General Cecil Fox, ret., Jamie Muhl, and Col. Walter Stueck, Ret.
The family especially thanks Providence Hospice, VA physicians and staff, and Charlyne Carpenter for their devoted care.
Memorials may be made in Ray's name to the St. Louis Catholic Church or School, 2001 N. 25th Street, Waco 76708, or to the charity of your choice.
August 1, 1920 - February 9, 2011
Raymond Ross Mormino, 90, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2011 at St. Louis Catholic Church by Msgr. Mark Deering assisted by Deacon Gregory George. Burial with military honors will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The rosary will be recited by Deacon George at 6:00 p.m. Friday, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., followed at 6:30 p.m. with a visitation with the family. A video tribute honoring his life will be shown during the visitation.
Raymond Ross Mormino was born August 1, 1920 in Waco to Sam and Hulda (Federwisch) Mormino, both immigrants who were in the grocery business in Waco. He attended Waco High School where he was an outstanding leader and athlete. He entered Baylor University, but when World War II broke out, he was ready to serve his country.
He was honored with an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at the age of 20, but one year later he switched to the Air Force where he became a navigator and bombardier. On January 23, 1944, Lt. Mormino and six other crew members took off from what is now Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana during one of their last training flights before D-Day. Shortly after the B-26 bomber took flight, one of its engines quit and the plane plummeted 1,000 feet before crashing onto the bombing range and erupting into white-hot flames. While the other crew members died, Mormino miraculously survived although his hands and face were terribly burned.
He endured more than 100 reconstructive surgeries in the 11 years that followed. His excellent physical fitness from being an active athlete all of his life and his deep religious commitment played key roles in his incredible survival.
Through the years, his face and hands were slowly rebuilt. Some of the elaborate skin grafs were break-through operations that were reported extensively in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Mormino resigned from the Air Force in 1946 as a First Lieutenant to return to Baylor University. Then came the second phase of his ordeal: facing people. His friendly disposition and undaunted determination prevailed, and Ray received his bachelor and law degrees at Baylor, graduating in 1949. He then began a career that eventually endeared him to all who knew him. After practicing law in Waco for three years, Ray was elected to his first public office, justice of the peace. He won more than an election - he won the battle to be looked upon simply as a normal human being. If he needed further proof, it strode into his office in the person of Jo Ann Durham McGrath. Ray and Jo Ann started dating, got married on January 7, 1956, and raised eight children.
In 1960, Mormino was elected the McLennan County Judge. During his ten years of service, he strove hard to lead the county to some of its greatest times of prosperity. On January 1, 1971, he became the first judge to preside over the 170th State District Court, serving in the office until his retirement in 1989.
During his long years of faithful service, Judge Mormino became one of McLennan County's best-known leaders. A familiar, cheerful figure around the courthouse, he was a hard-working leader in many of Waco's civic organizations, receiving a long list of honors and awards. He was active in St. Mary's Catholic Church and added his beautiful tenor voice to the church choir. When St. Louis Parish was formed, he joined St. Louis Catholic Church. He remained a good athlete, and also became an accomplished gardener who often donated fruits and vegetables to Caritas.
In 1967, he journeyed to Los Angeles to accept the National Handicapped American of the Year award.
People around McLennan County no longer gave Ray a second glance, they -- like his wife Jo Ann -- saw only the beautiful inner person. He was a compassionate, loving individual with a deep faith in God, love for his family and fellow man, and extraordinary sense of patriotism.
In 1994, Judge Mormino and 16 of his closest friends, including Judge Bill Logue and longtime Justice of the Peace John Cabiness, celebrated the golden anniversary of the fiery crash. Those attending acknowledged Ray's productive life since the accident and praised him for his many contributions he had made to society. The YMCA, Muscular Dystrophy, American Cancer Society, Caritas, EOAC, Waco Industrial Foundation, Waco-McLennan County Bar Association, Texas Bar, Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, United Fund, Chamber of Commerce, Light House of the Blind, McLennan County Health Board, County Juvenile Board, Booster Club, McLennan County Courthouse Restoration, and Waco Historic Foundation all benefited from his wisdom and dedicated leadership.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Mary Scarmardo, Vincent Young, Annie Lucy, Augusta Flanigan, Dorothy Phelps, and Sammy Mormino; mother-in-law, Seawillow McGrath; sister-in-law, Tommy Ray McGarth Rogers; and brother-in-law, Richard Durham.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jo Ann; children, Steven Mormino and wife Janet, Jamie Mormino, Raymond Ross Mormino II, Elizabeth Mormino and husband Richard Chung, Michael Joseph Mormino, Marc Desmond Mormino, and Christopher Mormino; grandchildren, Savanna Rose, Collin Rose, Loren Bemben and husband Steven, Brian Mormino, Kristen Bennett, and William Mormino; brothers-in-law, Ronald Durham and wife VeeBeth, Donald Durham and wife Helen, Douglas Durham, John Rogers, and Col. Robert Phelps, Ret.; sister-in-law, Seawillow Farrar and husband, Danny, and Helen DiStefano; 38 nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews; and many wonderful friends spanning 90 years.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews, Eric Farrar, Pat Farrar, Kevin Farrar, Corey Farrar, Collin Rose, and Brian Mormino.
Honorary pallbearers will be McLennan County judges, attorneys, and court staffs, John Fulbright, Tommy George, Ernest Simcik, John Simcik, Ed Morrow, General Cecil Fox, ret., Jamie Muhl, and Col. Walter Stueck, Ret.
The family especially thanks Providence Hospice, VA physicians and staff, and Charlyne Carpenter for their devoted care.
Memorials may be made in Ray's name to the St. Louis Catholic Church or School, 2001 N. 25th Street, Waco 76708, or to the charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond Mormino, please visit our flower store.
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Saturday, February 12, 2011
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