Raymond Eugene Vietti, husband of former interim president, Jackie Vietti, died on Dec. 24, 2015 after being ill for two weeks.

Vietti was born on Oct. 24, 1947, at his parents’ home in Pittsburg, Kansas to Mike Vietti and Minnie Vietti Kazmierski

Vietti graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1969 with a degree in Automotive Technology.  After graduation, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Vietti served in Vietnam with the seventh Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment in the First Aviation Brigade as a helicopter pilot. He received several decorations and was eventually honorably discharged from the military.  He then went on to have a career in the automotive and insurance industries.

Vietti considered EMC Insurance Company, where he was employed for 18 years, extended family. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and supporting the Butler Community College Grizzlies.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jackie Basham Vietti; five children, Dana Vietti, Angela Vietti O’Kane (Steve), Mike Vietti (Emily), James Vietti and Chris Vietti (Rosario); and four grandchildren, Sophie, Arthur, Audrey and Penelope. He is also survived by his two brothers, Tony Vietti (Joyce) and Tom Kazmierski, and stepbrothers, Jim (Twalla) and Len Kazmierski.

A visitation was held on Dec. 29 and a mass was held on Dec. 30 at St. John Catholic Church in El Dorado, Kansas.