Ad
Dr. Raymond LaBounty Puffer Dr. Raymond LaBounty Puffer,
Dr. Raymond LaBounty Puffer Dr. Raymond LaBounty Puffer, Ph.D., died of natural causes at his home in Victorville, California, on March 6, 2025. Born in Tecumseh, Michigan to Charles Raymond Puffer and Ruth LaBounty Puffer, Ray loved aviation and eventually earned his pilot's license. After graduating from Michigan State University, he pursued his master's degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he met his future wife, Kathleen McCulley. Ray's service to his nation began when he joined the U.S. Navy as an Ensign in the Naval Reserve. After earning a Ph.D. in History at the University of New Mexico, Ray, now Dr. Puffer, entered the U.S. Air Force's History Program. In 1981, he became Chief Historian of the History Office at Norton AFB, California. While there, he created the BMO Missile Heritage Park. Dr. Puffer later transferred to Edwards AFB, where he was frequently interviewed for publications and appeared as an on-camera commentator for documentaries, including The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club and the History Channel's Modern Marvels. In his spare time, he wrote hundreds of book review blurbs for Library Journal and was a contributing editor for 15 children's books about the military. Retirement allowed Ray to pursue his interest in community theater; improv comedy; lay ministry for the Episcopal Church; and the hospital chaplain's service. Ray's real passion was creating detailed military miniatures and oil paintings of his hometown. Ray is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children Faith Tinnin (and husband Aaron Tinnin) and Ted Puffer (and partner Kirstie Acosta); grandchildren Cypress Tinnin and Cliff Onarheim-Tinnin; his sister, Miriam Puffer Sybrandy; numerous cousins; and a large community of friends online.
