|
In 1971, Raymond, then
18 years of age, started
working at his uncle’s
family owned kitchen
cabinet shop. After five
years, he decided a change
might be good, so he
switched jobs. His new
boss, a small residential
building contractor,
soon had him in charge
of trim work and kitchen cabinet installation. Raymond’s love of
cabinet work seemed to take priority, so he bought a few tools
as funds allowed, and started a hobby shop in the building behind
his newly-purchased home. In 1979, Raymond took the plunge and
left his stable job. Raymond was now the owner and sole employee
of Foxcraft Cabinets. Of course, there were some tough times, but
with perseverance he continued. The shop was expanded twice over
the years to handle the growing family business. Now with the help
of his two sons in the
shop, Raymond spends the majority of his time in sales and design.
Raymond, and his wife,
Miriam, have been married for over thirty five years. Their house
becomes rather lively
when their six children and their nineteen grandchildren come “home”
for family get-togethers, but they have learned that, children
are an heritage of the Lord, just as the Bible says.
The shop is always closed
on Sundays, the day that
Raymond and Miriam
attend South Hinkletown
Mennonite Church. After
morning services they go home for lunch, or dinner as the local
PA Dutch call it, then there is plenty of time yet for a catch-up
nap and/or some good old-fashioned visiting with friends or family.
Son, Delmas, now the shop manager, got his first experience
by just observing after
school. Then, he worked
along side of his Dad,
or one of the earlier
employees. Now, besides
general management of production, he spends a lot of time in the
finishing department, where he excels in the application of those
specialty finishes that make a custom kitchen truly one of a kind.
He, and his wife, Darla, are raising their four children in the
same house that Delmas grew up in. They are also members at South
Hinkletown Mennonite Church.
Arlin, the youngest son,
got his start in a similar
way as his brother, Delmas.
He excels in custom building
those cabinets that his father designs. He reads those CAD drawings
with a meticulous eye, so that the finished product matches the
drawings. He also gives his brother a hand in the finishing department
as needed. Arlin, and his wife, Janelle, have one daughter, Miranda
and they attend Meadow Valley Mennonite
Church.
|