Little League® International mourns the loss of Raymond “Raymie” Styons Jr., manager of the Greenville (N.C.) Little League team that competed at the 2024 Little League Baseball® Southeast Region Tournament, who passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 4.
Mr. Styons has been an inspirational figure for the entire Greenville community, which also serves as the home for the Little League Softball World Series each year, leading the 2024 Tournament Team to the North Carolina state championship to earn a bid in the Region Tournament. The team finished the tournament with a 1-2 overall record, winning its first game over Georgia, 8-5, before falling in its next two.
“All of us at Little League International, and the Little League Softball World Series, are devastated to hear about the loss of Mr. Styons,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “The impact he has had on the entire Greenville community, but more importantly his own children, is evident in how much he has been admired by everyone he has touched. We are here to support the entire Styons family, and the Greenville community, as they mourn his loss.”
A native of Greenville himself, Mr. Styons grew up a three-sport high school athlete, so when he became a father, he quickly got his children involved with sports.
While his son, Trey, was growing up, Mr. Styons decided to volunteer his time to be a coach within the Greenville Little League program and a bond was quickly developed between the two. Together, the duo became Division I basketball referees, becoming one of only a few father-son combinations in college basketball.
Long- time ACC official Raymie Styons suffered a cardiac incident and passed away today. He was a tremendous offical and even better person. Always met you with a smile. Was genuine real. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. 🙏
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) August 4, 2024
Mr. Styons was also a very proud “Girl Dad,” raising a pair of daughters, Lindsay and Sarah, who together coached Lindsay’s son’s Tee Ball team as well. Lindsay went on to play softball at UNC-Wilmington, while Sarah won a state title during her time at D.H. Conley. Today, Sarah has also served as one of the professional photographers at the Little League Softball® World Series since the event moved to Greenville in 2021.
Little League International, along with everyone involved with the Little League Softball World Series, are committed to supporting the Styons family and the entire Greenville Little League community.