Theodore Ray

RAY

Theodore (Ted) Roosevelt Ray, 102, of Sparta, Ohio passed away peacefully on March 27, 2010 at Morrow County Hospital Extended Care Facility from complications due to a stroke. He was surrounded by his family. Ted was born on August 18, 1907 in Russell County Virginia to Albert and Rosa (Plaster) Ray. He moved to Akron, Ohio in 1925 where he worked in the rubber industry and was an early organizer for the United Rubber Workers Union. He married Jeannette Rosalind Boyd of Sparta, Ohio in 1929 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 71 years. In 1943 they moved their family of three young sons, Tom, Jim and Mike to their family farm in Morrow County where they farmed for the next 60 years. Ted worked as a journeyman machinist at Cooper Industries in Mt. Vernon, Ohio where he served as Union President, Vice President and worked on many bargaining committees. He retired in 1972 after 29 years of service. A life-long Democrat with a love for politics, Ted served as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman for South Bloomfield Township for 43 years and was a member and Chairman of the Central Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. Ted remained active and healthy by working in his garden and keeping honeybees well into his 102nd year. He enjoyed reading the newspaper daily and discussing current events and politics and had a constant thirst for knowledge. It was often said that Ted never knew a stranger. Ted is survived by three children: son Thomas Edward (wife Patti), son James Theodore (Barbara) and son David Michael (wife Joyce), eleven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeannette (March 28, 2001) 5 brothers, 1 sister, a grandson James Michael and a granddaughter Amanda VanHouten. Friends may call at the JOHNSON-MELICK-MORELAND FUNERAL HOME 49 West Church Street Centerburg, Tuesday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Mt. Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church 5615 Township Road 179, Cardington, Ohio. Elders Jack Griffith and Darvin Edwards officiating. Interment Bloomfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Morrow County, 228 South Street, Mt. Gilead, OH 43338. (419) 946-9822.