Raymond E. Gaddy passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family in his home on August 26, 2022 in Largo, Florida.

Ray was born Raymond Eugene Murdock, on April 13, 1937 in Martins Ferry, Ohio to Dorothy Johnson Murdock and Vivian Eugene Murdock. Early in his life, his mother married Charles “Roy” Gaddy and Ray and his younger sister Patricia were raised by Roy and Dorothy. Ray enjoyed his time with his stepdad immensely. From a young age, he would ride along with Roy, eventually working with him in his oil solvent business. At age 18, he chose to legally change his name to Raymond E. Gaddy to honor his close relationship with his stepdad, Roy.

Ray served his country in the Marines as a young adult. After the Marine Corps, he went on to work in a tool mill before returning to the oil solvent business. Continuing with the tradition he so loved as a child, Ray would now bring his young son Steve to ride along while Ray worked in the family business, a memory Steve cherishes to this day. After his father’s death, Ray ran the business until it was sold. Ray also ran a successful and large pig farming operation, which he and Steve built from the ground up on Gaddy Road. He loved to tell stories about this particular venture and was very proud of the road name, the property, and the legacy he built with his son’s help. He worked in many fields over the years, including sales and real estate. Later in life though, with his wife Delores, they would start up a daycare called Grandma and Grandpa’s House in Dublin, Ohio, happily running the business from their home up until retirement. Of all the stories and experiences, trades and skills, he would surely tell you that those daycare days were his very favorite.

Ray met and married his devoted wife, Delores, in 1980. With this union, he inherited her 7 children as well, 3 of them still living at home. Immediately, he stepped in to become the father figure his own stepdad, Roy, had been to him. He took the role very seriously and was the best father he knew how to be.

Ray leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Delores Geer Gaddy and children Steven R (Kim) Gaddy, Lisa M (Robert) Dudley Zimmerman, Gregory L Stearns, Sheryl A (Rick) Fellers, Daniel E Brehm, Linda A Flagg, Cynthia S (Dennis) Sipp, and sister Patricia Murdock Pike. Ray also leaves behind a remarkable 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and a Christmas great-granddaughter on the way. Ray believed that love, not blood, was the core of family. Even today, there are many daycare children and families who still consider him “Grandpa Ray” and will miss him intensely, as well.

Raymond was preceded in death by his beloved mother Dorothy Johnson Murdock Gaddy, his father Vivian Eugene Murdock, his stepfather Charles Roy Gaddy, brother-in-law Paul Pike, his ex-wife and Steve’s mother Patricia R Pike Gaddy, daughter Susan Renee Stearns, grandchildren Narelle Flagg and Alex Thomas as well as 5 great-grandchildren.

Ray’s passing has left many of us heartbroken. He was a wonderful and genuine man with a million stories. His tall tales will live on as a large part of his legacy, whether fully truthful or not, he aimed to create laughter; he never failed to entertain. He loved fiercely and fully, leaving an impact on every person whose path he crossed. Ray turned daycare families, customers, co-workers and neighbors into lifelong family members and he will be missed by a very large community.

A military service and small memorial are planned for 11AM on Monday, September 26th, 2022 at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

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