Army Sergeant Raymond James Burnside of Santa Rosa, California, beloved son of Medfred Raymond Burnside and Lynnette Casey.

Raymond was born on January 9, 1986. He was raised in Sonoma County and attended schools in Santa Rosa. Raymond found his passion at a young age playing music. He taught himself to play bass and guitar. He was in a band along with his lifelong friend Muhammad Abdullah and the entire Black Box crew.

Raymond joined the United States Army at 18, and was promptly promoted to Special Operations, where he served as an Army Medic in Iraq and Afghanistan. His job in the military was to care for people and he did. He was a stellar Medical Sergeant and was highly thought of by his unit. Raymond was awarded the Bronze Star, along with other Military awards. He was dedicated in his service and he was loyal to his country, family and friends.

After his service in the Military, Raymond traveled the world with a backpack and a sleeping bag. He had a deep passion for learning about other countries, their language and their cultures. Raymond loved information. He was a walking “Data Bank”, which served him well, in many ways. Of course, his favorite TV show was Jeopardy, which he watched every night at 7:00 p.m.

He was preceded in death, by his father, Medfred Raymond Burnside; and grandfather, Bob Vyenielo. He is survived by his mother, Lynnette Casey; stepfather, Culley Casey; and his siblings, Jen, Michael, Jaime and Cameron. Also surviving are his grandparents, Wanetta Walters, Dorothy Vyenielo, Vicki Vyenielo, Sid Kurn, Ruth and Randy Dobson, Jeff and Pam Casey and Randi and Jerry Nicolina. Raymond will be missed by his large family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Raymond was taken from us much too soon. He will be deeply missed! We would like to honor the man we all loved and respected.

SGT Raymond James Burnside lost his battle with PTS on January 27, 2016. He was 30 years old.

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