Raymond James "Ray" Dowdell

Raymond James "Ray" Dowdell, age 80, of Newcomerstown, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in his home, following a long illness.

Born July 16, 1935 in Columbus, he was a son of the late Raymond Harold and Miriam Northcraft Dowdell. Ray was a self-made, self-educated man who worked through the ranks of the Chrysler Corporation. His career spanned over 20 years and took him throughout the United States. He retired from Chrysler in 1992 as a management consultant. Always one to stay busy, Ray then went to work for The Times-Reporter, ultimately retiring in 2009.

Ray married the former Alicia S. Jones on December 3, 1971 in the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church. The two enjoyed traveling and took several especially memorable riverboat trips Ray always loved to be on or around water. Ray liked to read and had a keen interest in history, particularly the Civil War. He was also very fond of all of the dogs he owned over the years. Ray was a 46 year member of the Port Washington Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his loving wife, Alicia; his children, Raymond Kimberly (Renee) Dowdell of Woodbury, Tennessee, Shaunna Sue Hobson of Atoka, Tennessee, Melody Gay (Bret) Kettlewell of Dover, Tom Troy (Nicole) Shaw of Newcomerstown, and Tracie Polly Dowdell, also of Woodbury; his grandchildren, Elijah and Isaac (Erin) Dowdell, Desiree (Justin Logan) Hobson, Caitlin (Dean) Slusser, Shane (fiance, Laura Sellers) and Tanner Hobson, Andrew, Tara and Christa Kettlewell, Cory, Allysa and PFC Andy Shaw; his twelve great-grandchildren; and his several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his three sisters.

Honoring Ray's wishes, he will be cremated and a private committal service will be held in Nettle Creek Cemetery where his parents are buried in Westville, Champaign County. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Ray, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that contributions in Ray's memory be made to Port Washington Masonic Lodge, PO Box 494, or, to the United Methodist Church, PO Box 37, both addresses at Gnadenhutten, Ohio 44629.