Colonel Raymond “Ray” Kaufman Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.), of Litchfield, CT, passed away after a distinguished life of service to his country, his family, and his community. Colonel Kaufman proudly served for 31 years in the United States Army in a variety of leadership assignments before retiring in 1986. A graduate of Eastern Military Academy, he earned a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and a master’s degree in Latin American Area Studies from the University of Alabama. During his military career, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 18th Airborne Corps, and the United States Army Special Forces, earning the Master Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, serving with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 1966 and later as Senior Advisor to the Da Nang Special Sector in 1972. His overseas assignments also included service with the 505th Airborne Battle Group in Germany and as a military advisor to the Royal Thai Army. As a member of the Foreign Area Specialist Program, he studied Spanish before serving in Panama and Bolivia in political-military assignments. He also performed duties with the Defense Intelligence Agency in HUMINT interagency operations. Colonel Kaufman was selected to serve as the U.S. Army Defense Attaché in Peru, Chile, and Venezuela, representing the United States in military and diplomatic affairs. In Bolivia, he advised the Bolivian Army in developing and implementing National Military Civic Action projects. Following his military retirement, he continued serving his country as an independent contractor supporting intelligence community activities. Among his U.S. military awards were the Department of Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, and the Joint Service and Army Commendation Medals. He also received numerous foreign decorations, including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Bolivia’s Order of the Guerrillero Lanza, Chile’s Gold Star Medal, and Army Parachute Badges from Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Chile, and Venezuela. Ray shared a remarkable 67-year marriage with his beloved wife, the former Lorry Youmans of New Canaan, Connecticut. Throughout his military career, Lorry was widely regarded as an exceptional Army wife, and together they embraced the many assignments, travels, and adventures that military life brought. The couple made their home in Litchfield, Connecticut, where they lived in a lovingly converted barn. Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Lorry; their three children; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In retirement, Ray enjoyed skiing, sailing, walking the trails of the White Memorial Foundation, and traveling abroad, especially on European river cruises. He had a lifelong love of musical theater and delighted in sharing that passion with his grandchildren by taking them to Broadway productions in New York City, creating memories they will cherish forever. Ray will be remembered for his unwavering patriotism, distinguished military service, adventurous spirit, and deep devotion to his family. His life was one of honor, integrity, and quiet leadership, leaving a lasting legacy for all who knew and loved him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South Street, Litchfield, Conn. A private burial with Military Honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.