Raul Efren Lemus was born April 17, 1966, in Mexico.  He departed his earthly home on September 20, 2021.  He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Touro University International on September 23, 2005.  He also received his Master of Science and Strategic Leadership degree on July 31, 2010, from Mountain State University.

He served in the US Army for 25 years from August 1, 1985 and retired with an honorable discharge on November 30, 2010.  During his years of service, he received many awards and accolades to include the two Meritorious Service Medals; six Army Commendation Medals; six Army Achievement Medals; eight Army Good Conduct Medals; two National Defense Service Medals and three medals for serving in combat.  He earned the Glen E. Morrell Medallion, the highest award in recruiting.  He was inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, a private US Army organization for enlisted non-commissioned officers who displayed the highest degree of competence for their leadership accomplishments.  This was one of his proudest achievements of his military career.  In January 2021, he received his second retirement from Stryker Orthopaedics.

He met the former Deborah Monday Lewis in 2017 and they were later married on her birthday, October 27, 2020.  She was his best friend and love of his life.  Deborah was by his side during his illness and transition.  Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.  Raul is survived by his wife, Deborah Monday Lemus; children Diana Lovett and Christian Lemus; sisters Marcela Stammich (Rob) and Eva Hernandez (Erasmo); step-mother Nery Lemus; step-sisters Samarkandra Reynolds (Richard) and Lorena Rodriguez; step-children Rico Carruthers, Dontay Carruthers, Keshae Carruthers; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Raul was preceded in death by his father, Efren Lemus, and is now resting in heavenly peace.