George Raymond, 81, of Mason, Michigan, passed away on November 8 after a short hospitalization.
An owner of Standardbreds since 1966, Raymond and his wife, Dawn Scarborough, became serious Standardbred breeders until her death in 2010.
Their broodmare band, largely daughters and granddaughters of their Final Score mare Courtney Charamar 1:57.1, produced, among others, the successful trio of Keystone Nordic trotters Heart Of Shovey 1:55.2 ($246,154), Bank President 1:53.3 ($393,448) and Aachoo 1:54 ($228,945).
Born December 24, 1932, Raymond grew up among many siblings on the family farm in Leslie, Michigan. He became a football star at Leslie High School, served with distinction in the U.S. Army, worked briefly delivering milk for Heatherwood Dairies, and then landed a job selling advertising for the Mason newspaper.
By the end of his working career he owned that newspaper along with several other community shopping guides, and was a well-known local businessman and philanthropist.
But if you asked Raymond, among his greatest accomplishments was that night in 1972 at Wolverine Raceway when his trotter, Dearborn Star, won the Open Trot, defeating the great Speedy Crown.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of George Raymond.
(USTA)