Raymond “Ray” Myers, of Bloomdale, Ohio, passed peacefully in his sleep to be with his loving wife and our Lord and Savior on May 14, 2024, at the age of 84.
Born on August 21, 1939, Ray was the only child of Walter O. and Maxine M. Myers (Slotterbeck) of Bloomdale, who preceded him in death.
Ray grew up in Bloomdale surrounded by his loving family, including his grandparents and his beloved Uncle Vernon “Bud” Slotterbeck and Aunt Bernie Hendryckx (Slotterbeck). Ray graduated from Bloomdale High School in 1957.
In 1960, Ray married the love of his life, Patricia A. Kelly, who preceded him in death in 2016. Together, Ray and Pat had six beautiful daughters, and Ray often joked that he had enough daughters for a basketball team plus a substitute player.
As a young man, Ray was active with the Boy Scouts of America, traveling to Philmont and other scout camps with his father, who was Scoutmaster of the Bloomdale troop. Ray was committed to scouting and worked hard to achieve the honor of Eagle Scout. Always an excellent athlete, Ray was a star football and basketball player at Bloomdale High School, earning the Toledo Blade Times Football All Star Selection for Offense and Defense in 1956. Ray’s love of sports continued into adulthood as he played on and later managed Bloomdale’s K of P men’s fastpitch softball team and also participated in the men’s bowling league. Ray, known as “Rocket” to his friends, loved the camaraderie of sports and was known to enjoy a beer or two with his buddies after a game.
A talented carpenter, Ray owned and operated Bloomdale Building and Supply for nearly 40 years after taking the helm from his father. As hardworking as he was, Ray still found time to coach the Elmwood girl’s basketball team in the mid 1980s. As a proud girl dad, Ray experienced great joy watching his daughters play sports and cheer or twirl at sporting events. Supporting Elmwood Athletics was important to Ray and every Friday night in the fall he could be found with his motorhome parked at the Elmwood football game. Ray was also active in Bloomdale Commercial Club, Elmwood Athletic Boosters, Bloomdale Fire Department and EMS for many years.
From childhood, Ray was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomdale. While raising his six daughters, the highlight of every year was taking his family in his motorhome to Sunshine Key, Florida, for the Christmas holidays.
After retirement, Ray and Pat continued to travel and spent many of their senior years touring the U.S. from coast to coast in their motorhome. As a hobby, Ray spent countless hours building model airplanes and flying them at various clubs around the country, where he made many great friends. Another passion of Ray’s was collecting vintage cars and he enjoyed many car shows where he would display his 2014 Corvette, 1957 Ford Thunderbird or 1999 Prowler. Ray always had a love for animals and found companionship with many male collies that he fondly named Jack. Later in life, his beloved collies were two females named Jackie and Patsy.
Without a doubt, college football season was the best time of year for Ray. He was an avid Ohio State fan and never missed intensely watching a Saturday Buckeye game. Ray experienced “the game of a lifetime” when he attended the 2002 Fiesta Bowl BCS National Championship Game where Ohio State defeated the Miami Hurricanes after going 14-0 for the season.
Ray was not just a father to his 6 daughters; he was also a genuine friend who will be missed immensely for his practical advice, great sense of humor and genuine love for his family. He spent his final months enjoying the sunshine of Florida and love of his second daughter, Rebecca, by residing at her ranch in Live Oak, Florida.
Surviving Ray are his daughters Brenda Majdalani (Joe), Rebecca Myers, Kelly Myers (Pablo Piquerez), Debra Fruth (Larry), Tricia Myers (Luis) and Melinda Myers.
Known as “Gramps” to his grandchildren, Ray is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 4 great-granddaughters. Grandchildren: Tara Majdalani Zurcher (Kris), Connor Majdalani (Kelsey), Trevor Majdalani, Patrick Myers-Santos, Lucas Myers-Santos (Amanda), Lauren Myers-Santos, Gabriel Fruth (Caroline Fink, fiancée), Grace Fruth Wallace (Vaughn), Joseph Fruth, John Fruth, Emma Cavins, Brigid Cavins, Chloe Cavins, Sean Cavins, Mitchel Keller and Sidney Keller. Great-granddaughters: Raya Zurcher, Jade Zurcher, Rose Majdalani and Cora Myers-Santos.
Caring for Ray in his final years with love, laughter and friendship were Cammy Marsh, Amelia Ingram and Jolene Minich to whom the family is deeply grateful.
Open to all, a service for Ray will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, Bloomdale, Ohio at 11 a.m. on 25 May 2024 followed by a graveside service for family only.
In lieu of flowers, please send any donations in Ray’s name to the Wood County Humane Society, Bowing Green, Ohio.
Arrangements have been handled by Barndt Funeral Home in Wayne.
Online condolences can be sent to Ray’s family at www.barndtfuneralhome.org.
