Raymond J. Macon Jr.
Raymond J. Macon Jr., age 54 of Tampa, FL and formerly of Malone, FL passed away Wednesday July 8th at AventHealth Tampa, FL surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral service will be held 10a.m. Saturday July 18, 2026 at McChapel AME Church located 4963 Old U S Road Marianna, FL. A public viewing will be held from 4 to 6pm Friday July 17, 2026 at Mckinnie Funeral Home.
Raymond Jerome Macon, Jr. was born on September 25, 1971 in Donalsonville, Georgia to Raymond J. Macon, Sr. and Essie L. Smith, who raised him with love and unwavering support. The family later journeyed to Florida where he grew up with three sisters. From a young age, he displayed characteristics of being all-boy as he loved the outdoors and served as the protector of his sisters. He had a vibrant spirit, yet a kind heart and lovingly became known at an early age as “Dune Bug” which stuck as his nickname.
He graduated from Polk County Public School system in Central Florida where he attended schools from Kindergarten through Grade 12 in Mulberry, Florida. He achieved academically, played football and built friendships. A hardworking and ambitious individual, he began working at the local grocery store, Thriftway, while in high school and where he was introduced to his lifelong trade as a Butcher. He was deeply committed to his work and later became certified which led to a career expanding beyond 30 years at Publix.
Beyond his professional achievements, he was a man of many passions. He found great joy in martial arts training which coupled with his humble, kind and caring ways proved to be his specialty, second only to his love for God and family. He later overcame the feats required to become black belt certified, then used the same tenacity and quiet strength to build his spirit man. He embraced the word of God wholeheartedly and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior as a young man while also accepting the call to go and make disciples. He became an ordained deacon and lived a life of faith, embracing every experience with enthusiasm and love. His favorite past time included reading his Bible and watching Kung Fu, old karate and action movies.
More than anything, he was devoted to his family. He cherished relationships with his blood relatives and those who became family. He was a source of strength, laughter and unwavering support to those who needed him. His care for his loved ones knew no bounds and he took great pride in being a loyal son, brother, uncle, friends and servant leader.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Jerome Macon, Sr.; grandmothers: Alice Gladys Smith and Lyndsey Miley.
He is survived by a loving mother, Essie L. Smith of Mulberry, FL; three siblings: Sinandra Hunt (Alexander, Sr.) of Schertz, TX, Yolanda Williams of Lakeland, FL and Miranda Washington of Mulberry, FL; five nieces/nephews: Alexander Hunt, Jr., Alacia Stancil, Marqualis Williams (Rachel), Dominique Hunt, Demarcus Williams, Brian Washington, Jr., and DeAysia Williams; six great-nieces/nephews: Astarie Tillman, Nylah Blake, Serenity Johnson, Indya Reigh, Ezekiel Williams, Eden Williams and a host of special aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.