Raymond Van McCool of Sheridan, Arkansas was born June 20, 1937 at Sheridan, the son of the late James Herbert "Cub" and Coy Graves McCool. He was a devoted member of Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church. 1st Sgt. McCool was retired from the Arkansas National Guard after 42 years of service at the Sheridan Armory. He was known to his troops statewide as "Mother" because of his nurturing and caring nature.

Mr. McCool died Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock at the age of 68.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Damron McCool; Sons and daughters-in-law, Kerry and Christa McCool and Darren and Shirley McCool; Brother, Carroll "Kbo" McCool, all of Sheridan.
5 Grandchildren, Haley, Daniel, Grayson, Hayden and Olivia McCool.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 28, 2006 at Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Sheridan with Bro. Kenneth Click, Bro. Doyle Caldwell and CSM Steve Veazey officiating. Burial will be at Lost Creek Cemetery. Visitation: 5-8 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook: www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.