Raymond W. Raub 1932-2024
YOUNGSTOWN — Raymond William Raub, affectionately known as “Ray,” passed away peacefully at the age of 91, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 21, 1932, in Youngstown, the son of Mark Raub and C. Helen Hogg Raub.
Ray graduated from South High School in 1951, where he excelled in varsity baseball and basketball, and later attended Youngstown College (present-day YSU). During the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving stateside in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Tacoma, Washington, and overseas in Japan. Ray was an excellent pitcher and played for the McChord Air Force Base team, traveling the country to compete against other U.S. Armed Forces base teams.
On March 7, 1953, he married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Karen Cover. Together they raised four children. They celebrated many happy years together en route to their 50th anniversary before Karen’s passing in 2003.
After his service, Ray returned to Youngstown and began working for Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG). He later transitioned to Excel Auto Glass as the warehouse manager. Following the closure of Excel Auto Glass, Ray worked for Youngstown Mirror and Glass until his retirement in 2000. He also served as a funeral associate at the Thompson Filicky Funeral Home for many years. Post-retirement, Ray became a starter at Mill Creek Golf Course, where he worked for 22 years and eagerly anticipated the upcoming season.
A devout member of Girard First United Methodist Church, Ray served as head usher for several years. He deeply valued raising his children in the church and imparting to them that salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ.
He was also a member of the Girard High School Boosters Club and coached Girard Little League baseball when his children were young. An avid sports enthusiast, Ray supported the Cleveland Indians, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. Renowned for his sports trivia knowledge, he was inducted into the Old Timers Baseball Hall of Fame on March 7, 2002. Additionally, he enjoyed fishing and golfing.
A lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley, Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and a friend to all he encountered. He cherished time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his four children, Paula K. (Robert) Droege, Raymond W. (Christine) Raub Jr., Dr. Jeffrey (Sara) Raub, and Kara (Richard) Freiberg; 11 grandchildren, Marci (Daniel) Franco, Kyle (Margaret-Ann) Raub, Rob (Noel) Droege, Christopher Droege, Bryan Raub, Amy Raub, Madison Freiberg, Marah (Matt) Guckavan, Mallory Freiberg, Jake Freiberg and Mandi Freiberg; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret “Peggy” Raub and Dorothy “Dot” Adams.
Besides his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; and his brother-in-law, John P. “Jack” Adams.
Family and friends may visit 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2024, and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St., Boardman. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home, officiated by the Reverend Russ Adams, followed by military honors. A private Interment will take place for the immediate family in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Boardman.
Ray’s kindness, wisdom and humor will be deeply missed but never forgotten. His was a life well-lived, full of love, compassion and service. May he rest in peace.
We thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the VA and local medical facilities who took part in his wonderful care over the previous months.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that material tributes take the form of contributions to any veteran’s charity.
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