Raymond Alden Pendleton, U.S.M.A. Class of 1962, of New Orleans, LA, peacefully passed away October 30, 2025, and will be laid to rest on June 15, 2026, at the United States Military Academy cemetery in West Point, NY.

Ray was born an identical twin with brother, Robert, on December 27, 1938 in New Orleans, LA, to the late Forrest Currier and Victoria Nachman Pendleton. He enjoyed growing up in New Orleans and with his brothers and kept their parents and beloved housekeeper Gertrude Davis on their toes. Once Gertrude discovered two “pet” alligators the boys were keeping under an overturned laundry basket in the yard; the alligators were later donated to the Audubon Zoo.

Ray enjoyed piloting airplanes and summers as a Counselor at Camp Rockmont, NC, in his youth. He graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1956 then went on to study at Tulane University and United States Military Academy. He excelled in marksmanship at West Point and earned a spot on the nation’s top collegiate pistol team. He was a five time All-American, set an Academy record, and won a National Individual Championship. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from U.S.M.A. and was commissioned an officer in the Army in 1962.

On active duty, he was posted in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia. In Vietnam he saw combat as a Special Forces Green Berets A-Team commander, earned the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Wings, Ranger Tab, and other various decorations.After a distinguished military career, he transitioned into Pendleton Detectives Inc., founded by his father in 1920, in New Orleans, LA. He served as President of Pendleton Guard & Security Service, Inc. and led growth into five southern states. To apply his expertise as a qualified State and Federal courts forensic security and investigations expert, he established the consulting firm of Raymond A. Pendleton & Associates, Inc. in 1986.

Ray served in the Army Reserves and in 1981 was promoted to the rank of Colonel and recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Shield/Storm to help coordinate counterterrorism activity in the U.S. In 1988 he was appointed U.S. Army state liaison for National Security Emergency Preparedness and was cited for his innovative disaster planning. For many years following as residents evacuated the city as hurricanes approached, he remained stationed in the heart of New Orleans for the duration.

Ray built an extensive record of community and charitable involvement including the President of the Young Men's Business Club of New Orleans, Executives Club of Louisiana, and Reserve Officers Association. He served on the National Council of United Service Organizations (USO), Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Boards of Directors of the International Trade Mart and Homeseekers Savings Association, and Board of Governors of the Magnolia School. He was most fond of the Magnolia School and would encourage others to support the wonderfulnon-profit for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He served as Chairman of the Administrative Board of his local church and was a lifelong member of the Krewe of Hermes.

Ray participated in numerous professional service organizations with distinction. He was a national representative of the Private Security Services Council for the American Society for Industrial Security, charter member and Past President of the Louisiana Association of Private Security Agencies and Investigators, Chairman of the Mayor’s Private Security Task Force, Advisory-Instructor for the Jefferson Parish Vocational-Technical Law Enforcement/Security Training Division and Orleans Regional Security Institute, and guest speaker for the Council of International Investigators, Association of British Investigators, and Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education. He was named to “Who’s Who” in both the American Law Enforcement (1972) and the National Security Institute (1989-90). In 1984 The Pentagon's Inspector General Agency selected him as the only reserve officer to participate in revision of the U.S. Army’s IG training program. He served as President and Chairman of the Board of the World Association of Detectives, the largest investigative and security organization in the world, and was named President Emeritus in 2016.

Above all, he enjoyed time with family and friends. He loved sharing family history and the fact that he was a direct descendant of pilgrim John Alden and member of the Mayflower Society. He took pride in being a father to daughter Edie Pendleton Evans and her husband, Kee, of Columbus, GA, and son Raymond “Alden” Pendleton, Jr., of Spanish Fort, AL. He was “Grandpa” to Tripp (Kenneth E. Evans, III) and Parks (Joseph P. Evans), of Columbus, GA.

In addition to his children and grandchildren, he is survived by sister-in-law Pam Pendleton, widow of brother Charlie, of Granbury, TX, sister-in-law Sherry Pendleton, widow of twin brother Robert, of Madison, MS, nephew Robert H. Pendleton, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly, of Madison, MS, niece Paige Pendleton Doucette and her husband, Stephen, of Granbury, TX, nephew Brian A. Pendleton and his wife, Melanie, of Port Aransas, TX, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held 10:00 AM Monday, June 15, 2026 at the U.S.M.A. Old Cadet Chapel, West Point, NY according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages support of Magnolia Community Services, Jefferson, LA, with a donation in his memory at mcs-nola.org.