David Raymond McQueen, Jr., 73, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away suddenly Friday, March 23, 2018, in Pensacola.
Born December 15, 1944 in Elizabethton, Tenn., Raymond was the son of Margaret Boling McQueen and David Raymond McQueen, Sr., who was killed in WWII six weeks prior to Raymond’s birth. His mother and beloved stepfather, M.S. Bangs, moved with Raymond to Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1946 where they built and operated the Sea Zoo, Sugar Mill Gardens and Birdland. Raymond and family moved back to Elizabethton in 1954. He graduated from Elizabethton High School and earned a BS in Biology and Master of Science in Environmental Health degree from East Tennessee State University.
Raymond was a junior high school science teacher in Oak Ridge, Tenn., before beginning his 35-year career dedicated to environmental health. His important work included health inspection management for the DeKalb County GA Health Department; inspection of public schools in Georgia for asbestos and lead; assessment of Native American lands and facilities for environmental hazards; and training and supervision of workers responsible for removing asbestos and lead. In 1997, Raymond and wife Becky moved with their sons, Matthew and Owen, to Pensacola where Raymond continued his work as an environmental health consultant, before retiring in 2006.
Raymond was an avid car enthusiast, winning awards as a drag racer at Bristol and driving a NASCAR car 180 mph at Daytona International Speedway. He loved the beach, the Smoky Mountains, his yellow Labrador retrievers, and birding with his wife Becky. A kind and generous man, Raymond never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. He was a mentor and raconteur and will be remembered for his wit, intelligence, and caring.
Raymond is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Rebecca Hodges McQueen of Pensacola; son, Matthew David McQueen, and daughter-in-law, Diva Dompé of Los Angeles; son, Owen Grey McQueen of Pensacola; and granddaughter, Love Adelina McQueen of Los Angeles; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, a multitude of friends, and his faithful companions, Sugar and Buddy.
Celebrations of Raymond’s life will be held in Atlanta, Ga., and Elizabethton, Tenn., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Raymond’s honor to the National Resources Defense Council at 40 West 20th St., 11th floor, NY, NY 10011, by phone at 212-727-4429, or online at: www.nrdc.org.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel in Pensacola, Fla., in charge of arrangements. harpermorrismemorialchapel.com