Obituary for Clarence F. Ray
Clarence Fred Ray, 98, of Penn Run, PA died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born March 17, 1922 in Penn Run, he was the son of the late Fred Cameron Ray and Theda Sue (Ellenberger) Ray.
Clarence graduated from Indiana High School in 1938 at the age of 16.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army on December 8, 1942 where he became a Tech Sergeant and, later, a Rifle Platoon Sergeant during World War II in the European Theater. Clarence was in the 9th Infantry Division, 47th Regiment, Company L, 3rd Platoon. He arrived on Utah Beach, June 10, 1944, four days following the D-Day invasion by U.S. and Allied Forces. He received a Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster for injuries sustained in the line of duty. He was honorably discharged September 19, 1945.
Clarence also received the Combat Infantry Badge, Normandy Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Then 69 years later on June 6, 2013 he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal, the highest honor given to a non-French citizen. He was awarded this prestigious medal at the French Consulate in Washington D.C.
Following the war, Clarence worked on his farm for several years before taking a job as a pipefitter, a job he would keep for the rest of his working career. Clarence worked on the construction of the Alaska pipeline and at many other pipefitting jobs that took him to 37 states. He retired in1988.
He was a former member of Graystone Presbyterian Church and a current member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church, Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Clarence was a Founding Charter Member of the Cherryhill Township Volunteer Fire Company, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a life member of American Legion Post 141 of Indiana, a life member of VFW Post 1989 of Indiana, a life member of the Indiana Elks Club 931. He was a member of the Ninth Infantry Division Association, 50-year-plus member of Local 798 of the Welders and Pipefitters Union and a member of the Forty and Eight Club Chapter 798.
Clarence was inducted into the Indiana County Voter Hall of Fame in 2016 for voting in 50 consecutive November elections. He was presented with a citation from Governor Tom Wolf for this accomplishment.
Clarence enjoyed working in his vegetable garden where he loved growing his Rutgers tomatoes and other vegetables that he happily shared with his family and friends. He also liked mowing and caring for his yard. He spent many winters in Dunedin, Florida where he would walk more than 1,000 miles during the winter season. He was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt in his earlier years.
Clarence is survived by his second wife, Marlynn, his daughters, Theda P. Ray (Cindy Melson), Indiana, PA and Jane Mitchell (Fred), Penn Run, PA, his granddaughters, Gretchen Leigh Mitchell (Daniel Viderman), Monroeville, PA and Lindsey Robyn Lizik (Josh) of Houston, PA and two great grandchildren, Owen and Quinn Lizik. He is also survived by stepsons Michael R. Olson and James R. Olson, both of Randolph, NY.
In addition to his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by his first wife, Pearl (Leamer) Ray who died January 22, 2001. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Helen Bradfield, Dorothy Strong, Wayne Ray, infant brother, Max and infant sister, Mildred.
A private family viewing will take place on January 4 and a private funeral service at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana on January 5 with Reverend Richard Cassel officiating. Burial with U.S. Army Military Honors will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Indiana, PA with Reverend David Hanna officiating. Face masks and social distancing will be required by the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ninth Infantry Division Association, c/o Mary Cooper, 11218 Timberline Road, Houston, TX 77043
Online condolences may be made at www.rbfh.net.
Clarence graduated from Indiana High School in 1938 at the age of 16.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army on December 8, 1942 where he became a Tech Sergeant and, later, a Rifle Platoon Sergeant during World War II in the European Theater. Clarence was in the 9th Infantry Division, 47th Regiment, Company L, 3rd Platoon. He arrived on Utah Beach, June 10, 1944, four days following the D-Day invasion by U.S. and Allied Forces. He received a Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster for injuries sustained in the line of duty. He was honorably discharged September 19, 1945.
Clarence also received the Combat Infantry Badge, Normandy Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Then 69 years later on June 6, 2013 he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal, the highest honor given to a non-French citizen. He was awarded this prestigious medal at the French Consulate in Washington D.C.
Following the war, Clarence worked on his farm for several years before taking a job as a pipefitter, a job he would keep for the rest of his working career. Clarence worked on the construction of the Alaska pipeline and at many other pipefitting jobs that took him to 37 states. He retired in1988.
He was a former member of Graystone Presbyterian Church and a current member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church, Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Clarence was a Founding Charter Member of the Cherryhill Township Volunteer Fire Company, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a life member of American Legion Post 141 of Indiana, a life member of VFW Post 1989 of Indiana, a life member of the Indiana Elks Club 931. He was a member of the Ninth Infantry Division Association, 50-year-plus member of Local 798 of the Welders and Pipefitters Union and a member of the Forty and Eight Club Chapter 798.
Clarence was inducted into the Indiana County Voter Hall of Fame in 2016 for voting in 50 consecutive November elections. He was presented with a citation from Governor Tom Wolf for this accomplishment.
Clarence enjoyed working in his vegetable garden where he loved growing his Rutgers tomatoes and other vegetables that he happily shared with his family and friends. He also liked mowing and caring for his yard. He spent many winters in Dunedin, Florida where he would walk more than 1,000 miles during the winter season. He was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt in his earlier years.
Clarence is survived by his second wife, Marlynn, his daughters, Theda P. Ray (Cindy Melson), Indiana, PA and Jane Mitchell (Fred), Penn Run, PA, his granddaughters, Gretchen Leigh Mitchell (Daniel Viderman), Monroeville, PA and Lindsey Robyn Lizik (Josh) of Houston, PA and two great grandchildren, Owen and Quinn Lizik. He is also survived by stepsons Michael R. Olson and James R. Olson, both of Randolph, NY.
In addition to his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by his first wife, Pearl (Leamer) Ray who died January 22, 2001. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Helen Bradfield, Dorothy Strong, Wayne Ray, infant brother, Max and infant sister, Mildred.
A private family viewing will take place on January 4 and a private funeral service at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana on January 5 with Reverend Richard Cassel officiating. Burial with U.S. Army Military Honors will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Indiana, PA with Reverend David Hanna officiating. Face masks and social distancing will be required by the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ninth Infantry Division Association, c/o Mary Cooper, 11218 Timberline Road, Houston, TX 77043
Online condolences may be made at www.rbfh.net.