by RALEIGH, N.C. — Arthur Garfield “Art” Raymond Jr. died on June 20 following a “courageous and long-fought battle” with Parkinson’s Disease.
Raymond was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on December 3, 1947. A lifelong resident of Raleigh, he graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School in 1965 before heading to his beloved N.C. State University, where he earned a bachelor of science in wood science and technology in 1969.
He went on to build a distinguished and highly impactful career as a consultant to the wood products industry. His work took him to more than 50 countries, where he advised a diverse portfolio of international clients and was regularly sought after as a featured speaker at global industry conferences. Prior to his retirement, he served as the senior vice president of supply chain for Hooker Furniture Corp.
“Art was a total professional and an even better person,” said Tim Stump of merger and acquisition specialist Stump & Co., who had known Raymond since the 1990s. “We worked on many projects together through the years, and he always made impactful recommendations and was hands-on to implement changes. His final act at Hooker moved the needle with lasting positive impact. Rest in peace my good friend.”
Industry executive and consultant Jeff Holmes said he first met Raymond when he was a marketing and merchandising executive at Broyhill and later when he was CEO at Singer Furniture, where the company used Raymond’s services.
“Art Raymond always hit the spot in life, business and on the golf course,” Holmes said. “Art was the consummate professional. He was admitted and respected by all. He told me that when he died, he wanted to go where his dogs were. May God bless Art Raymond!
His obituary noted that throughout his life, “Art was defined by his generous spirit and commitment to service. He dedicated more than 20-plus years to N.C. State University, serving on numerous boards and committees. Passionate about mentoring the next generation, he shared his vast industry expertise as an adjunct professor for the Department of Wood and Paper Science and as a guest lecturer in the Department of Industrial Engineering.”
“Art was not only a great adviser to the industry, he was a genuinely great person,” said Ken Smith, a former managing partner at industry accounting and tax consulting firm BDO Seidman, which later became Smith Leonard. Smith said he had known Raymond since the mid-1990s. “He was always willing to help, but also would not take in work that was not work he was confident in providing. Just a class person.”
Raymond’s obituary also noted that his civic leadership extended to his alma mater, where he was a board member of the Needham Broughton High School Alumni Association and chaired its scholarship committee. In recognition of his lifetime of service, he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the N.C. State College of Natural Resources in 2015 and the Medallion of Merit Award from the Sigma Nu Fraternity (Beta Tau #713) in 2025.
A man of deep faith, Raymond was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, “where he served faithfully as the chair of the finance committee. He was a man who deeply loved his family, a good round of golf, music that moved the soul, and his beloved Wolfpack. Now that Art has shuffled off this mortal coil, his family hopes he is dancing to “Give Me Just a Little More Time” by the Chairmen of the Board while joyfully reliving the Wolfpack’s historic 2024 run to the NCAA Final Four.”
Raymond is survived by his devoted wife, Kathie; his son, Art III, and his wife, Hilary; and his cherished grandchildren, Benjamin and Katherine, who brought him immense pride and joy.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (2723 Clark Ave., Raleigh, NC), with a reception to follow at the church.
