Arthur Garfield “Art” Raymond, Jr. was a long-time supporter of the IWF Challengers Award and held positions with both North Carolina State and Hooker Furniture.
Art Raymond served as chairman of the Challengers Award for three show cycles from 2014 to 2018 and dedicated more than 20 years to NC State University, serving as an adjunct professor for the Department of Wood and Paper Science and as a guest lecturer in the Department of Industrial Engineering. He was also a consultant to the wood products industry for many years, working with a broad portfolio of international clients and 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 Corporation.
As chairman of the Challengers Award judging committee, he brought a wealth of industry knowledge and was able to use his long-standing connections throughout the industry to hand-pick Challengers Award judges with specific industry backgrounds to ensure a diverse and broad knowledge base of wood industry experts.
“Working with Art was a pleasure,” said J.P. Roberts, director of sales for the IWF. “He always had a kind demeanor and listened to all points of view when heading up the Challengers Award. He knew how important this award was for the industry and strived to ensure that the highest levels of ethics and integrity were maintained throughout the judging process. He was a great guy and one that many in the woodworking world looked up to and respected.”
Raymond, who was 78 and died following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, is survived by his wife, Kathie; his son, Art III, and his wife, Hilary; and two grandchildren, Benjamin and Katherine.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2723 Clark Avenue, Raleigh, N.C., with a reception to follow at the church.
