James Ray Edelen, 80, of La Plata, Maryland passed away on February 20, 2019. Jim was born in Richie, Maryland in 1938, the son of Julia and the late Joseph Ray Edelen. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1962 until he was Honorably Discharged in 1967. Jim worked 30 years before retiring for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He was also employed by Ken Dixon Chevrolet. His hobbies were gardening and carpentry. He cut many surfaces for the Southern Maryland Decorative Painters, was a NASCAR and Dale Earnhart Jr. fan, and could not miss Curse of Oak Island and Gold Rush on television.

In addition to his father, Jim was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Edelen. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Audrey Edelen; his mother Julia Edelen; bother Joseph Lynn Edelen (Lana); son James Robert Edelen (Denise); daughters Deborah Vito Olejnik (Richard), Kimberly Vito Kuehl (Michael); grandchildren Zachary, Kyle and Caroline Edelen, Caitlin Olejnik, Dakota and Cassidy Kuehl; nephews Joel Edelen, Steven Edelen, Michael Edelen, and Timothy Edelen.

Family and friends to gather on Friday, March 8, 2019 from 1PM until time of service at 2PM at Raymond Funeral Service, P.A., 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Charles County, 2505 Davis Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20603.