Raymond Caffee, Jr.

Raymond "Stub" Caffee, Jr., 86, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Graveside service will be 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Sunbeam Cemetery, rural Miller. 

Memorials may be directed to Hands of Hope, PO Box 144, Miller, SD 57362, or Sunbeam Cemetery Fund, 404 W. 2nd St, Miller, SD 57362.

Raymond Caffee Jr. was born October 21, 1936, to Raymond E. and Frances G. (Smith) Caffee in Lane, SD.  His grandmother gave him the nickname “Stub” which became his preferred name. He attended various country schools, Miller High School, and Brookings Agricultural Academy which helped nurture his love of farming and rural life.  He enlisted in the Navy and spent time in California, Hawaii, and Alaska.  It was while stationed in California that he met the love of his life and bride of 64 years, Mary Resch.  Upon his discharge from the Navy, the couple and their first son moved to South Dakota, where they made their home and raised their family of two sons and two daughters. 

In addition to farming, Stub worked for the Hand County Highway Department before retiring in 2003.   He was a member of First Baptist Church in Miller.  His main hobbies involved the outdoors with a strong passion for fishing.   He had many fishing buddies who became life-long friends.

Stub is survived by his children: Ray (Tammy) Caffee, Miller, David (Kathryn) Caffee, Sturgis, KY, Shelly (Curt) Trego, Watertown, SD, Kimberly (Robb) Johnson, Henry, SD;  12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren: Naomi (Jon Isaac) Caffee, Vance (Jennie) Caffee and sons: Nolan, Ivan, Logan and Rhys, Hannah Caffee, Cassandra (Jarrad) Morelock and daughter, Elliott, Melissa (Ben) O’Neil and sons: Zachary and Jesse, Michael (Melanie) Caffee and children: Cozette, Jude, and Ezra, Samantha Caffee, Krista (Adam) Peterka, Jackie (Sam) Dooyema and son, Josiah, Mitch Trego, Taylor (Jayson) Good, and Ian Johnson; siblings: Richard Caffee, Harold Caffee, Rita Keller, Lennis Caffee, and Randy Caffee; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; great-granddaughter, Hannah Violet Dooyema; brother, Marvin Caffee; sisters: Lois Robertson, Joan Peck, and Lorraine Harms; brothers-in-law: Bob Robertson, Henry Peck, John Harms, and Fritz Keller; and parents.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Ray's arrangements.