Ray D. Gottfried

Ray D. Gottfried, Age 76, formerly of Upper Sandusky died at 1:15 a.m. at his residence in Tampa, FL on Wed. November 23, 2011. He was born June 8, 1935, in Upper Sandusky to the late Edwin E. and Grace L. (Newell) Gottfried. On July 1, 1961, he married Sally Jean Masch in the Prout Chapel on the campus of Bowling Green State University and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on that date this year. Mr. Gottfried is survived by a son Randy D. Gottfried, Missoula, MT, a daughter Sandra K. Foster, Tampa, FL, grandchildren Bethany Gottfried, Pearcy, AR, Allison, Lauren and Andrew Foster, Tampa, FL, brothers Paul Gottfried, Johnstown, James Gottfried, Upper Sandusky, Larry Gottfried, Upper Sandusky, a sister Rita Eippert, Mineral Ridge and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by a sister Jeanne Ann Cole and a brother Craig Gottfried. Ray graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 1953 and from Bowling Green State University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts. He then served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. Mr. Gottfried taught Industrial Arts in the Upper Sandusky Sr. and Jr. High Schools for over 30 years and had been employed by Engineered Wire Products Inc. for 8 years. He was a member of John Stewart United Methodist Church. In 1976 Mr. Gottfried authored and published the book Pictorial Memories of Upper Sandusky and Wyandot County. He was Ohio Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year in 1982 and Upper Sandusky Citizen of the Year in 1987. Mr. Gottfried was a member of Wyandot Co. Rod and Gun Club, Flying Quail Model A Ford Club, Wyandot Co. Retired Teachers, Ohio Retired Teachers Association., Upper Sandusky Bicentennial Committee and served on numerous committees to benefit Upper Sandusky and Wyandot Co. He served a 2 year term on The Sheldon West Board of Directors, was instrumental in the construction of the Park Pond Bridge in Harrison Smith Park, and he has built numerous redwood signs that are seen in various locations throughout Wyandot Co. For the last 20 years, Ray has been the historian for the USS Wyandot AKA-92, an attack cargo ship named after Wyandot Co., OH. The crew-members have an annual reunion in September and he has met with the group in various locations all around the United States. Ray has been recognized as a 10 gallon blood donor. His hobbies were photography, traveling, woodworking, flower gardening and reading and studying history. Ray lived life to the fullest. He loved his family and cherished his many friends. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them participate in various school activities, sports and musical performances. Funeral services will be held Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in the BRINGMAN CLARK Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Geissinger officiating. Burial will be in Old Mission Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tues. Nov. 29, 2011 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Upper Sandusky Community Library, Wyandot Mission Church and Life Path Hospice, Temple Terrace, FL. in care of BRINGMAN CLARK Funeral Home 226 E. Wyandot Ave. Upper Sandusky, OH. To extend a condolence, share a memory or to view the life tribute video visit www.bringmanclark.com. Military Graveside services will be conducted by Upper Sandusky Veterans Color Guard. http://videos.lifetributes.com/263845