He was born on March 27, 1924 in Dant Station, Marion County, KY. He graduated from St. Francis High School in 1942. He was in the Army during W.W.II from March 1943 to April, 1946 in France, Germany and Austria and achieved the rank of Sergeant. In May, 1969 he was elected Marion County Circuit Clerk and began his term in January 1970. He ran unopposed for the next 18 years and served Marion County until his retirement in 1988.
Raymond loved music, dancing, singing in the St. Augustine Choir, playing cards, traveling and his cars. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of twenty-two years, Aline Bland Dant, who passed away in 1971; step-son, Dennis Raymond Fowler; parents, Harry and Florence Dant; four brothers, James , Leo, Harry and Phillip Dant; one sister, Frances Fenwick.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Clarice Bland Fowler Dant; children, Tommy (Wanda) Dant, of Campton, and Mary Beth (Richard Toz) Williams, of Winchester; stepchildren, Mary Kay (David) Clements, Terry Fowler and Jerry Fowler, all of Lebanon, Bill (Jeanine) Fowler, of Lexington, step-daughter-in-law, Kathy Spalding Fowler, of Bardstown, and Lynette (Mark) Traylor, of Georgetown. Also surviving are sixteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, great-grandchild Dant due in November, great-grandson, Barfield due in December, and special caregiver, Caitlyn Bradley.
A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Rev. Bill Bowling and Deacon Joe Dant, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2016 with burial in the church cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held at Bosley Funeral Home on Monday, August 29, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 Monday evening by Deacon Joe Dant.
Pallbearers are grandsons Matthew Clements, Ryan Dant, Jerry Fowler, Jr., Bernard Fowler, III, Drew Fowler, April Fowler for her brother, Charlie Fowler, Stephen Williams and Patrick Williams.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard Bus Fund, 400 East Lovers Lane, Lebanon, KY. 40033.