THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 11, 1996 TAG: 9610110439
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 40 lines
Raymond C. Bloomer Sr., 78, of the 1000 block of Fairlawn Ave. departed this life on Oct. 8, 1996, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
A native of Louisville, Ky., Mr. Bloomer was born May 10, 1918, the only son of the late Cranston and Mildred Bloomer. He was reared in a loving Protestant home and educated in the public schools of Louisville. After attending radio school in New York, Mr. Bloomer enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served with distinction for 24 years. In connection with his military service, he attended Hampton University and numerous fleet schools. Having earned the rank of chief electrician, he served aboard several vessels, including the USS Carp submarine, where he later became the first African-American to become chief of the ship.
After his retirement from the Navy, Mr. Bloomer served as a supervisor with General Electric, a foreman and instructor at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and an electronic engineer with the Military Sealift Command. During both his military and civilian employment, he received commendations for exemplary service. He was a member of the American Legion.
Mr. Bloomer is survived by his wife, Gilda; three sons, Harold Perkins of Norfolk, Bruce Perkins of Charlotte, N.C., and Raymond Jr. of Columbia, Md.; five grandchildren; several cousins; three daughters-in-law; a sister-in-law; a niece-in-law; two grandnieces-in-law; other relatives and many family friends. He was predeceased by two sisters, Lula Jewell of Atlanta and Virginia Burbage of Louisville.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday in Mount Zion Baptist Church, 900 Middlesex St., Berkley, Norfolk, with the Rev. Joseph N. Green officiating. Burial will follow the service at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. The family will receive friends in the residence. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today in Pretlow's Funeral Home, Norfolk, and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church. Family and friends will assemble at 1000 Fairlawn Ave., Virginia Beach, at 11:15 a.m. Saturday for the procession to the church. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB