Raymond William Wheatley Jr., 84, passed away peacefully at his beloved farm on Athol Road in Mardela Springs, Maryland, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, surrounded by the place that meant the most to him.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Ray proudly served with the Baltimore City Police Department before moving to Maryland's Eastern Shore in September 1976. There, he built more than a farm-he built a life centered around family, the outdoors, and the values he held dear.

To know Ray was to know there was always another adventure waiting. He was an avid hunter and fisherman whose life revolved around the outdoors. One of his favorite sayings was, "We interrupt this marriage to bring you deer season," a phrase that became a running joke throughout the family. If it had been up to him, the world would have simply stopped during those two important weeks in late November and early December. If there was a hunting season open, Ray was in the woods. If there wasn't, he was on the water with a fishing rod in hand. Whether he was riding the back roads looking for deer, checking the woods, or searching for his next fishing spot, Ray was happiest outside, doing what he loved.

What made Ray truly special was that he never kept those experiences to himself. He believed every child deserved the opportunity to experience the outdoors. He taught all of his grandchildren how to hunt and fish and welcomed anyone who wanted to hunt, explore the farm, or simply enjoy the land and the adventures that came with it. He passed down far more than outdoor skills-he passed down a love for nature, a strong passion for supervising, and an appreciation for slowing down and enjoying life's simple moments.

Ray was also an enthusiastic collector who could find value where others couldn't. He firmly believed that one man's trash was another man's treasure and spent years collecting antiques, unique finds, and an extensive collection of police department memorabilia. Every item had a story, and Ray was always happy to tell it.

Anyone who knew Ray knew he never met a stranger. He had a way of making everyone feel like an old friend. With his cowboy boots, cowboy hat, and a cigar almost always hanging from the corner of his mouth, he became a familiar sight across the Eastern Shore. He was unapologetically himself-always ready with a joke, a story, or a sarcastic comment that could make anyone laugh. To those who knew him best, he wasn't just an outdoorsman-he was a true Eastern Shore cowboy.

Above all, Ray's greatest pride was his family. He shared 63 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Pat Wheatley, building a life filled with love, laughter, and countless memories. Their farm became the gathering place where holidays were celebrated, fishing and hunting stories grew a little bigger each year, and generations learned the importance of family, tradition, and simply being together.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Pat Wheatley; his daughters, Vicki Wheatley and her companion, Rob Brobst, and Michele Beilski and her husband, Chris; his chosen brother, Dean Ford; his grandchildren, Amanda Phillips and her companion, William White; Mikaela Phillips; Taylor Joseph and her companion, Wyatt Rentschler; Landon Phillips and his fiancée, Jamie Albero; Brittany Taylor; his ten cherished great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Dylan Joseph; his mother, Alva Wheatley; and his father, Raymond Wheatley Sr.

Ray's legacy isn't measured by the fish he caught or the trophies on the wall. It's found in every child who learned to cast a fishing line because of him, every hunter who shared a morning in the woods by his side, every story told around the dinner table, and every person lucky enough to call him family or friend. Though he may be gone, his spirit will forever live on in the back roads he traveled, the waters he fished, the woods he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ray's life on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Short Funeral Home in Delmar. A public viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Mardela Memorial Cemetery in Mardela Springs, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Ray's honor to Friends of the NRA. Checks may be mailed to:

Friends of the NRA

c/o Memorial for Raymond William Wheatley Jr.

7481 Old Westover Marion Road

Westover, MD 21871