Alton Ray

Ray, Alton, Age 92, passed away on March 31, 2020.  

Alton grew up on a farm in Townsend Township (near Clyde, Ohio), and joined the Navy after high school.  He was too young but his mother signed the papers so he could go in right away; one of his friends wanted to join him, so she signed papers for him, too!  He served as a Seaman on the USS Leyte.

After World War II ended Alton went back to Ohio, but his adventures were not over; he headed to Wyoming to work as a ranch cowboy.  Soon the family farm needed him back, so he went home and spent most of his life working a full-time job while continuing to operate farms.  He joined the Ohio State Patrol and worked as a Turnpike Officer always wanting to serve others.  He had a stint as a Ford Motor Plant Foreman, and sold grease and oil products on the side to his fellow farmers.

In 1972, Lubriplate recruited him to build up their Great Plains territory and Alton became one of the most successful regional sales managers they ever had.  He said the move to Minnesota proved to be one of the best decisions he made, even though it marked the end of his farming life.  He retired at age 70 and spent the next 15 winters in El Cajon, CA enjoying the ocean and desert life.

Alton was preceded in death by parents, Melvin and Hazel (Wickerham); sister, Doris Neidler; wife, Betty (Mills); stepsons, Doug and Dennis Reitz and special mention of Candace “Candy” (Coger) Moss.  He is survived by his sister, Shirley Vining and brother, Ron; children, Renee Roth, Gale Johnson and Scott Ray; grandchildren, Torin Roth, Rick Johnson, Travis Ray and Kristie Ray Antipala and several great-grandchildren.

Although his family always called him Alton he had many nicknames – Big Al, Ray and Ray-Ray (from the nice nurses in assisted living).  Torin remembered hauling firewood with Grandpa from “the hill” down to the house, driving the Cub Cadet with the trailer nearly overloaded.  Ron said his brother “always had the biggest smile and enjoyed offering encouraging advice.”  Alton often said, “Keep up the good work!”  He had a big heart – once you met him, you were family forever.  He will live forever in our hearts.

Memorials preferred to Eagle Group MN Veterans at http://www.eaglegroupmn.org/donate.html

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