Raymond Alva Paulson was born on December 4, 1929, to Bernt O. and Kirsta (Sjoberg) Paulson and grew up on the family farm in Crosby, ND. He was a 1948 Valedictorian graduate of Crosby High School where he played football, served as vice president and secretary of his class, and was yearbook editor. He went on to the UND where he earned a BS degree in Education. In 1952, before graduating, he enlisted in the US Air Force, was stationed in Spokane, WA and served in Korea until his honorable discharge in April, 1956.