Elmer Ray Oxley, 74, of Pottery Addition - Steubenville, OH, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in the Valley Hospice Care Center North in Steubenville.
Ray was born to Charles and Jessie (James) Oxley on Oct. 8, 1948, in Steubenville.
He retired, with 37 years of service, from the Weirton Steel Corp. where he worked as a Senior Pipefitter. Ray was a graduate of Steubenville Big Red High School and he was a member of the USW Union.
Ray was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and hunt. He could often be found in his boat on Piedmont Lake or at his cabin in the hills of West Virginia near Canaan Valley.
He was a very kind, generous, and patient man who would give you the shirt off his back. Ray loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. He loved his cat, Mavis, and his chickens, and his garden. His favorite saying at the end of the day was “my truck knows its way home.”
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his brother, Charlie Oxley.
Ray leaves behind his three children, daughters, Cassie Kohen of New Salem, OH, and Rachal and husband Phil Ighnat of Toronto, OH; son, Jake Whittington and companion, Angel of Baltimore, OH; his grandchildren who he was affectionately known as “Pappy Ray”, Fabian (Bethany) Kohen, Shayne Kohen, Courtney (Josh) Overdorf, Trevor Kohen, Sierra Whittington, Ryan Ighnat, Aby Koch, and Ethan Koch; great-grandchildren, Raven and Desmond Kohen; nieces, Shelley and Vicki; great-niece, Jessie and her daughter Charlie; ex-wife and mother of his children, Joann Danko; companion, Susie Heaton, and his best friend, Tal and his wife Jane Burkett.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 27 from 12 noon to 3 pm followed by his funeral service at 3 pm. Pastor Rob Minto will officiate, and burial will be held at the convenience of Ray's family. www.jefosterfh.com