Raymond Lee Straub Sr.

January 26, 1932 – January 11, 2021

Raymond Lee Straub, the “pater familias” to the West Texas Straub Family, a third generation, life-long resident of Stanton, Texas, passed away after fighting a short illness just fifteen days before his 89th birthday on Monday, January 11, 2021.

He peacefully slipped his earthly bonds to join the Lord and his sons: Charles Lee Straub, Baby Straub, and Martin Ray Straub at his home surrounded by his family whom he loved.

Raymond was born on January 26, 1932 in Stanton, Texas to the Alsatian Catholic Family of Albert Charles Straub and Beatrice Ursula Ridings Straub. He grew up in Stanton as the youngest of six Straub children: Margret Beatrice Straub, Willie Mae Straub, Albert Charles Straub Jr., Bobby Jo Straub, and Claude Wallace Straub. All of which have preceded him in death.

He attended the Sisters of Mercy Catholic School and Stanton High School in Stanton and Saint Edwards Military Institute in Austin. He was drafted and served shortly in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict then returned home to Stanton where he made his life.

Raymond was a successful businessman who started his business in 1957 trucking and selling agricultural products to the local farmers. Raymond married Wanda Jean Anderson of Odessa, Texas on October 27, 1959. Shortly after, Wanda started helping him in what would become their enterprises. Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s they had RL Straub Chemical and Grain. With the decline of grain in West Texas, they started RL Straub Enterprises, which performed water well drilling, pump, and dirt contracting services for the remainder of the 1970’s, 80’s, and 90’s. They also created Raymond Straub Inc in the 1980’s as a farming, ranching, trucking, and water marketing enterprise which is still in operation today.

In 1998, the Straub family incorporated most of their enterprises to create Straub Corporation with their two remaining sons, Martin Ray Straub and Raymond Lee Straub, Jr. Straub Corporation in the last 22 years has evolved from a water well drilling and pump company to an environmental drilling firm to a Texas Register Geoscience Consulting Firm with Groundwater Resources, Drilling, and Land & Mineral divisions.

Raymond was an avid adventurer, some of which used to be of local notoriety. He lived life to the fullest. He became a pilot at a young age with many tales of flying adventures. He once landed an airplane on the back of a pickup truck while it was going down the road. He would often say: “if you don’t believe me, just ask the Woody Brothers.” Raymond flew his beloved red and white Mooney Super 21 until his mid-80s.

He was also an avid motorcycle adventurer. He visited every State in the Union, Canada, and Mexico on his motorcycles. He would travel to the cool green mountains of the US and Canada in the summer and the sunny beaches of Acapulco, Mexico in the winter.

Raymond and Wanda had four children: Charles Lee, Baby Straub, Martin Ray, and Raymond Lee Jr. Charles Lee died in an auto accident in 1986, Baby Straub died at birth, Martin Ray died at home in Stanton in 2020, and Raymond Lee Straub Jr. still resides in Stanton, Texas.

Raymond is survived by his wife Wanda Jean Straub of Stanton, whom he often called her his beautiful wife and the mother of his children. He is also survived by his youngest son, Raymond Lee Straub Jr., daughter-in-law Lana McGee Straub, and grandson, Raymond Lee Straub III, of Stanton. Additional survivors include Martin’s widow, Kala Jo Straub and his grandsons Christopher Charles Straub and Tyler Ray Straub as well as Charles’ widow Colonel Tyra Swanson.

The family will receive friends at Gilbreath Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 7pm for a rosary. On Thursday, January 14, 2021 an indoor service will be family only and held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Stanton, Texas. A graveside service will follow at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery where friends may gather for his final journey home. Face coverings are required for attendance at all services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Martin County Senior Citizen Center. The family would like to express their gratitude towards Hospice, the hospital staff at Midland Memorial Hospital and Martin County Hospital, especially Meagan Chandler.

Raymond was a strong, proud, vibrant, and honorable man, a loving husband, and caring father. He will always be remembered as someone who would reach out a helping hand to those in need.

PaPa, you will always be the Straub Family’s “Magnetic North”. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten!

Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.