Raymond William King

1942 - 2018

Raymond

William King, Jr

Raymond William King, Jr., age 76, of Hudson, Ohio, passed away on August 17. Raymond was born in 1942 to the late Raymond William and Muriel (nee White) King. He was the beloved husband of Betsy (nee Schmunk) King; loving father of Jeff (Lauren) King and David King; cherished grandfather of Reed, Halle, Grace, Alex, Julia, and David; and dear brother of Jane (Stephen) Seder.

Ray and his younger sister, Jane, grew up in Shaker Heights. Ray's father was a business man and great fan of classic automobiles, instilling a love for cars that remained with Ray throughout his life.

Ray graduated from Shaker High School class of 1960. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Betsy Schmunk, whom he would wed in April 1965.

Ray matriculated at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts. He interrupted his studies midway through for a semester in New York at Columbia University studying architecture but then returned to Williamstown to finish his undergraduate studies with a BA degree (English) in 1966. His brief stint at Columbia kindled his lifelong love of architecture. While in school, Ray pursued a lot of extracurriculars which brought joy the rest of his life, including motorcycles, his wife, Betsy, and dogs (starting with Hubert the basset hound).

Ray returned to Cleveland shortly after graduation to get married and started family, while continuing schooling in the evenings at Case Western Reserve (MBA). Ray soon joined father at SSP Fittings in Bedford, at the time.

In the early 1970s, Ray moved his young family to Hudson and quickly became engaged in Jaycees and Christ Church Episcopal. Ray and Betsy were attracted to the Hudson's rich history. They saw beauty in century homes and over the years, passionately restored two houses in the former Village, where he combined his love of architecture and passion for antiques.

Ray had a hand in many aspects of Hudson's growth - contributing time at earlier versions of the Haunted House (Franklin Street, Stow Road), helping establish Hudson Springs Park as the first community park, and planning the construction of Christ Church new chapel as a member of Vestry in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Despite his busy work schedule growing a manufacturing company, Ray found time to combine his love of sports and family when he taught himself soccer so he could coach his son's traveling teams for many years in the late 70s.

After Ray suffered a stroke in 2010, he was able remain in the house he lovingly restored in the 1980s with the assistance of Active Lifecare and Hudsonite, Marianne Doman, who combined their love and talents to give Ray independence and dignity during the challenging last phase of his life.

Ray left to be reunited with his parents and his Savior on August 17, 2018 while comfortably resting at his Hudson home.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2018 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at JOHNSON-ROMITO FUNERAL HOME, 19 E. Main Street, Hudson, OH 44236. Memorial contributions may be made in Raymond's name to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org). www.johnsonromito.com