Rev. Raymond Patton Joseph, 1927-2006

Raymond Patton Joseph was born on June 2, 1927, in Monticello, Iowa, to Raymond and Alice (Patton) Joseph. They lived on a farm at Hopkinton and were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church there, with Dr. F. E. Allen as pastor. Ray had a rich family heritage of devotion to biblical principles, not only in his parents but also in his four grandparents. At an early age, he confessed his faith in Jesus Christ, as did his younger brother Tom.

In 1945, Ray graduated from Hopkinton High School and then spent 18 months in the Army Air Force, wanting desperately to fly. Instead, his duty turned him into an IBM repairman in the Philippines. Returning home, he attended Geneva College. He graduated in 1951 with a B.S. in composite science and entered the Iowa University School of Medicine for one year.

But Ray’s life work was not yet clear. He did realize his flying dream by being part-owner of a small airplane and gaining his pilot’s license. Yet the Lord was working in His heart at this time, and Ray concluded God was calling him to train for the gospel ministry. He attended the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduated in 1956.

While in seminary, he fell in love with Alice Muriel Smith, daughter of Rev. Alvin Sr. and Mrs. Sarah Smith, of Orlando, Fla. They were married on Sept. 3, 1955. They moved to San Diego, Ca., in June 1956 to organize the mission work there (begun by Rev. J. D. Edgar) into a congregation. That first pastorate continued from 1956-62 (where four of their five children were born: Brenda and Brian—twins, in 1956; Philip in 1958; Barbara in 1959). He then took the call to the Greeley, Colo. RPC, where he served from 1962-67, when God led Ray to a new work in the Midwest.

After resigning from the Greeley pastorate, Ray moved the family to West Lafayette, Ind., where he took up a Bible study begun by Pastor Roy Blackwood . The West Lafayette RP church (a Purdue University student ministry) was organized in 1968. Ray and Alice’s fifth child, Rebecca, was born in Lafayette in 1972. In 1983, they moved to Pittsburgh, and then to Atlanta, Ga., where two years were invested in teaching the love of psalmody in Chalcedon Presbyterian Church, where they worshiped, also teaching at Chalcedon Christian School.

In 1986, Ray answered the call to Southfield, Mich., RPC, where he pastored from November 1986 until his retirement in December 2001. To honor Ray’s ministerial commitment to national covenanting, a scholarship fund was established in his name at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Ray and Alice continued to live in Southfield for a time before moving to Alpharetta, Ga., to live next door to their son, Phil, and his family.

Throughout his life, Ray had many interests. He grew up playing the piano and accompanying his mother, an accomplished violinist. In college he played for the Genevans. He kept up on his playing, bringing much enjoyment to him, to Alice, an accomplished vocalist, and to countless others. He also enjoyed writing. During his college days, he edited the student weekly, the Geneva College Cabinet. In the early West Lafayette days, he worked as a scriptwriter for a tentmaking job. Most recently, he completed a compilation of essays on the Psalms.

During seminary, Ray became a close friend of LeRoy Eims of the Navigators; and, like many young Reformed Presbyterians of that time, Ray was greatly helped in learning how to disciple men for Jesus Christ, something that would mark his ministry. Many men, now walking with the Lord, look back on the ministry of that team, Ray and Alice, as being decisive in their lives.

Later, Ray became good friends with modern-day reformers R.J. Rushdoony, Greg Bahnsen, and Gary North, and his commitment to seeing the nations serve their King Jesus grew. Ray also served on the board of the National Reform Association and as editor of the Christian Statesman. In 1992, the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church honored him by electing him moderator of Synod.

Without doubt Ray’s fervent passion focused on his heritage as a descendent of the Covenanters of Scotland, who suffered and died to contend for Christ’s crown and covenant—that Jesus Christ reigns as both King and Head of the Church and at the same time rules as King and Head over nations. It was that conviction which kept him constantly championing the cause of the National Reform Association to see Jesus Christ acknowledged in the United States Constitution. He never lost that vision and dream, and it marked his prayers!

Ray passed into the glory of his Lord whom he loved so dearly on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, leaving behind his wife of 50 years, 5 children and their spouses, and 22 grandchildren. A celebratory memorial service was held at the Southfield RPC, on Feb. 28. His body was laid to rest in the church cemetery beside other faithful saints from the last 150 years.

“‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them’” (Rev. 14:13).