Donald F. Ray, 91, of McConnellsburg, PA passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at his residence. He was born August 20, 1926 in McConnellsburg, son of the late Bruce and Elmira (Black) Ray. Donald married Doris J. Ott on March 1, 1947 in McConnellsburg, PA.
In February of 1944, during World War II, shy of age 18, Don and his cousin, Dean Black, enlisted in the Navy. After basic training, he was sent to Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to an oil tanker The USS Cossatat A077. The ship traveled across the Atlantic four times refueling ships embroiled in battle. After the last trip, the ship returned to Norfolk to be refitted with guns and readied for the long haul to Iwo Jima. Don served as a gunner on the ship during battles against the Japanese and also as a carpenters mate. While on the ship he lived through one of the most destructive typhoons the Navy had ever faced. After the war ended, Don was stationed in San Francisco before being Honorably Discharged on May 2, 1946. His South Pacific WWII experience was featured in an article in the Fulton County News on September 27, 2012 as part of a series to honor WWII Veterans.
During his lifetime he worked as a plumber for E.W. Pyle, and a diesel mechanic for Dick’s Automotive in Johnstown before purchasing the Sinclair station (known as Ray’s Garage) on Lincoln Way East in 1959. Don closed the garage in 1978 and went to work at JLG Industries for 10 years before retiring to devote his time to his love of wood working, making furniture for many people in Fulton and Franklin Counties. Among his hobbies were building and flying model airplanes and the ability to repair most anything that was broken.
Donald is survived by three children, Barbara (wife of Mack) Bishop of McConnellsburg, PA, Marsha J Fetsko of Mechanicsburg, PA and Douglas E. Ray of McConnellsburg, PA, 2 grandchildren, Charles Allen (husband of Emily) Bishop, Melanie (wife of Mark) Kania and 5 great grandchildren, Cara, Carmelina and Remy Bishop, and Marli and Gabriel Kania.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years Doris Ray, one great grandson Caleb Bishop, one brother Charles Reed Ray and one sister Helen Glunt.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 220 North Third Street, McConnellsburg with the Rev. Neil Ray officiating. A time of visitiaton will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. The family has entrusted Don's care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com.
In February of 1944, during World War II, shy of age 18, Don and his cousin, Dean Black, enlisted in the Navy. After basic training, he was sent to Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to an oil tanker The USS Cossatat A077. The ship traveled across the Atlantic four times refueling ships embroiled in battle. After the last trip, the ship returned to Norfolk to be refitted with guns and readied for the long haul to Iwo Jima. Don served as a gunner on the ship during battles against the Japanese and also as a carpenters mate. While on the ship he lived through one of the most destructive typhoons the Navy had ever faced. After the war ended, Don was stationed in San Francisco before being Honorably Discharged on May 2, 1946. His South Pacific WWII experience was featured in an article in the Fulton County News on September 27, 2012 as part of a series to honor WWII Veterans.
During his lifetime he worked as a plumber for E.W. Pyle, and a diesel mechanic for Dick’s Automotive in Johnstown before purchasing the Sinclair station (known as Ray’s Garage) on Lincoln Way East in 1959. Don closed the garage in 1978 and went to work at JLG Industries for 10 years before retiring to devote his time to his love of wood working, making furniture for many people in Fulton and Franklin Counties. Among his hobbies were building and flying model airplanes and the ability to repair most anything that was broken.
Donald is survived by three children, Barbara (wife of Mack) Bishop of McConnellsburg, PA, Marsha J Fetsko of Mechanicsburg, PA and Douglas E. Ray of McConnellsburg, PA, 2 grandchildren, Charles Allen (husband of Emily) Bishop, Melanie (wife of Mark) Kania and 5 great grandchildren, Cara, Carmelina and Remy Bishop, and Marli and Gabriel Kania.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years Doris Ray, one great grandson Caleb Bishop, one brother Charles Reed Ray and one sister Helen Glunt.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 220 North Third Street, McConnellsburg with the Rev. Neil Ray officiating. A time of visitiaton will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. The family has entrusted Don's care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com.
Donald F. Ray, 91, of McConnellsburg, PA passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at his residence. He was born August 20, 1926 in McConnellsburg, son of the late Bruce and Elmira (Black) Ray. Donald married Doris J. Ott on March 1, 1947 in McConnellsburg, PA.
In February of 1944, during World War II, shy of age 18, Don and his cousin, Dean Black, enlisted in the Navy. After basic training, he was sent to Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to an oil tanker The USS Cossatat A077. The ship traveled across the Atlantic four times refueling ships embroiled in battle. After the last trip, the ship returned to Norfolk to be refitted with guns and readied for the long haul to Iwo Jima. Don served as a gunner on the ship during battles against the Japanese and also as a carpenters mate. While on the ship he lived through one of the most destructive typhoons the Navy had ever faced. After the war ended, Don was stationed in San Francisco before being Honorably Discharged on May 2, 1946. His South Pacific WWII experience was featured in an article in the Fulton County News on September 27, 2012 as part of a series to honor WWII Veterans.
During his lifetime he worked as a plumber for E.W. Pyle, and a diesel mechanic for Dick’s Automotive in Johnstown before purchasing the Sinclair station (known as Ray’s Garage) on Lincoln Way East in 1959. Don closed the garage in 1978 and went to work at JLG Industries for 10 years before retiring to devote his time to his love of wood working, making furniture for many people in Fulton and Franklin Counties. Among his hobbies were building and flying model airplanes and the ability to repair most anything that was broken.
Donald is survived by three children, Barbara (wife of Mack) Bishop of McConnellsburg, PA, Marsha J Fetsko of Mechanicsburg, PA and Douglas E. Ray of McConnellsburg, PA, 2 grandchildren, Charles Allen (husband of Emily) Bishop, Melanie (wife of Mark) Kania and 5 great grandchildren, Cara, Carmelina and Remy Bishop, and Marli and Gabriel Kania.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years Doris Ray, one great grandson Caleb Bishop, one brother Charles Reed Ray and one sister Helen Glunt.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 220 North Third Street, McConnellsburg with the Rev. Neil Ray officiating. A time of visitiaton will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. The family has entrusted Don's care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com.
In February of 1944, during World War II, shy of age 18, Don and his cousin, Dean Black, enlisted in the Navy. After basic training, he was sent to Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to an oil tanker The USS Cossatat A077. The ship traveled across the Atlantic four times refueling ships embroiled in battle. After the last trip, the ship returned to Norfolk to be refitted with guns and readied for the long haul to Iwo Jima. Don served as a gunner on the ship during battles against the Japanese and also as a carpenters mate. While on the ship he lived through one of the most destructive typhoons the Navy had ever faced. After the war ended, Don was stationed in San Francisco before being Honorably Discharged on May 2, 1946. His South Pacific WWII experience was featured in an article in the Fulton County News on September 27, 2012 as part of a series to honor WWII Veterans.
During his lifetime he worked as a plumber for E.W. Pyle, and a diesel mechanic for Dick’s Automotive in Johnstown before purchasing the Sinclair station (known as Ray’s Garage) on Lincoln Way East in 1959. Don closed the garage in 1978 and went to work at JLG Industries for 10 years before retiring to devote his time to his love of wood working, making furniture for many people in Fulton and Franklin Counties. Among his hobbies were building and flying model airplanes and the ability to repair most anything that was broken.
Donald is survived by three children, Barbara (wife of Mack) Bishop of McConnellsburg, PA, Marsha J Fetsko of Mechanicsburg, PA and Douglas E. Ray of McConnellsburg, PA, 2 grandchildren, Charles Allen (husband of Emily) Bishop, Melanie (wife of Mark) Kania and 5 great grandchildren, Cara, Carmelina and Remy Bishop, and Marli and Gabriel Kania.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years Doris Ray, one great grandson Caleb Bishop, one brother Charles Reed Ray and one sister Helen Glunt.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 220 North Third Street, McConnellsburg with the Rev. Neil Ray officiating. A time of visitiaton will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. The family has entrusted Don's care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com.
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