PAULDING, OH:
Ray S. Goyings, 92, passed away on May 15, 2024 after a brief illness. Ray was born Dec. 9, 1931 to William and Mary (Unger) Goyings. He was one of the surviving members of Paulding High School Class of 1949. Ray was a life-long Paulding County farmer. He married Dorothy Todd on Oct. 26, 1952 and they celebrated 69 ½ years of marriage before her passing in Aug. 2022. Ray and Dorothy were blessed with three children: Steve (Joanie) Goyings, Doug (Diane) Goyings of Paulding and Melinda (Chris) Walters of Antwerp. He was a proud Grandpa to six grandchildren: Stephanie (Scott) Pier, Trent (Kelly) Goyings, Jeremy (Jessica) Goyings, Chelsie (Justin) Ross, Christina Burk and Brent (Brittney) Kauser. He was also Great Grandpa to Grace & Tyler Goyings, Lyla & Dylan Pier, Axel & Garrett Goyings, Carleigh Burk, Bralen, Briahlyn, Brayer, Brantley, & Baby Kauser, Riley & Macy Ross, two bonus great grandchildren Hannah & Michael Griffiths, as well as a special family friend, Steve Burk.
Ray and Dorothy shared fond memories of square dancing, Farm Bureau members and Social Club. They were able to enjoy trips to San Francisco to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and Gatlinburg for their 50th. They celebrated their 60th anniversary with a family dinner. Many summer weekends were spent with family and friends at Hamilton Lake or on the Auglaize River. Ray was a member of the Paulding Methodist Church. In his younger days, he was involved with Paulding Little League and Paulding Band Boosters. He helped raise a healthy and happy family while working the land he loved, and he instilled that love of the land in the hearts of his children. He and Dorothy were extremely proud and honored for recognition of an 1886-1986 Ohio Centennial Farm. The grandchildren always enjoyed their special Christmas shopping trips with Grandpa and Grandma – as Grandpa had a hard time not spoiling them with their wish lists! And, they will cherish the times they got to go for a bumpy ride into town with Grandpa in “Old Blue”. We’ll never forget his usual instructions whenever we left from a visit with him – “Be careful and watch your business”. Many will miss seeing him meticulously mowing his lawn, but he’ll probably be maintaining the beautiful roadsides of heaven because “a farmer’s work is never done”.
Preceding him in death were his wife, parents, in-laws Bud and Blanche Todd, brothers Buck & Homer. He is also survived by a sister, Donna Pieper.
Cheri Estle (friend of the family) will lead a private memorial and celebration of life for the immediate family at Den Herder Funeral Home. Pallbearers include Steve Goyings, Doug Goyings, Chris Walters, Trent Goyings, Jeremy Goyings, and Brent Kauser. The family requests memorials be made to the Paulding High School FFA (c/o Staci Miller, 405 N Water St., Paulding, OH 45879) or to the Paulding United Methodist Church (308 N Main St., Paulding, Ohio 45879).
Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.
