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News Death Notice
BELL, Ray E. age 85, a lifelong Dayton area resident, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2012. He was born March 6, 1927, to Maude (nee Martin) and Raymond E. Bell. After graduating in 1945 from Fairview High School, Ray served in the U.S. Navy at the close of WWII. He went on to earn a B.S. in education degree from Otterbein College and was a member of Zeta Phi fraternity. At Otterbein he met and later married Mary Frances Barnett, with whom he had four children. Ray taught physical education and English for seven years at Colonel White High School, where he also coached football, basketball, and tennis. He then achieved success for nearly 50 years as a real estate broker and developer and owned his own business, Ray Bell Realty. From an early age, Ray was an avid sports enthusiast. He was a talented tennis player and won many tournaments at both the state and local levels. Music was also a passion in Ray's life. He appreciated many genres-- from big band to jazz to musical theater--and loved frequenting jazz clubs and concerts. Ray was a regular at Bill's Donuts in Centerville, where he often stopped in for donut holes, coffee, and friendly conversation. Ray will be greatly missed by his four loving children, Ann (Brian) Jones of Dayton; Leigh (Curt) Baer of Chicago; Susan Bell of Chicago; and Steven (Claudia) Bell of Albuquerque. Nine grandchildren--Ben, Heidi, Noelle, Nick, Natalie, Nathan, Kate, Julie, and Emily-- and two great-grandchildren--Bella and Teddy-- also survive him. Ray's family will remember and miss his caring presence, sports and funny stories, and warm hugs. Also surviving Ray is former wife Sandra Matheis. The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Ray's caregivers at Liberty Retirement Community, especially Emily, and from Odyssey Hospice, especially Abbie. A celebration of Ray's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on September 29, 2012, at the Woodland Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton, OH 45409. Parking in the driveway is permitted. Donations in Ray's name may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 3085 Woodman Dr. Suite 200, Dayton, OH 45420.
Published in Dayton Daily News on September 23, 2012
