Ray Mears

Ray Mears, 91, passed away on October 14, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born on February 20, 1932 in Ivy Bluff, Tennessee to Charles and Nora (Stacy) Mears.
Ray moved to Ashtabula in his late teens.
He began working for Coca Cola as one of the youngest route drivers in the area. He married his wife, Joanne and they had four children.
Ray then started working at Reliance Electric and eventually retired from there.
Never being one to be without work, he started Ray's Excavating where he believed in charging a fair price for a quality job. He was well-known for his excellent work ethic. Ray finally retired at the age of 85.
In his younger days, Ray was a top-notch go-cart driver and engine builder.
Ray enjoyed his backyard garden, which he planted for over 60 years. He took great pride in growing the biggest tomatoes around. He could be found at Deb's Dinner, sitting at the lunch counter with a cup of coffee talking to whoever sat next to him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne; his parents; his brothers, Charles, Max, and Bobby Mears, and his grandson-in-law, Charles Anderson..
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Dale R. (Lori) Mears of Amherst, Ohio, Kenneth E. (Susan) Mears of Madison, Ohio, Randal K. (Lisa Gable) Mears of Concord, Ohio, and Lisa L. Lynch of Ashtabula, Ohio; his siblings, Ruth Rogers of Mason, Ohio, Dorothy Tucker of Wartrace, Tennessee, Lloyd Mears of Hillsboro, Tennessee, Brenda Jaco, Manchester, Tennessee, and Wanda Davis of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; his grandchildren, Mark, Michelle, Amber, Tiffany, Joshua, Amanda, Jessica, and Garrett; his great grandchildren, Nathan, Maya, Brody, Kenneth, Nina, Liana, Ryan, Felicity, and Madeline; and his great great granddaughter, Alena.
Friends and family will be received at the Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula, Ohio on Tuesday, October, 17, 2023 from 1:00-3:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to: SouthernCare Hospice 970 Windham Ct #9, Youngstown, Ohio 44512.
Funeral arrangements were trusted to Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ducro.com.