Raymond W. Esser's Obituary
Raymond W. Esser, age 89, of Elyria Twp., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 3, 2021. His loving family was right by his side.
He was born on January 10, 1932 in Lorain, where he was raised and is a 1951A graduate of Lorain High School. While in high school he played on the tennis team and eventually decided to join the Naval Reserves, serving for 8 years. Also while in high school, Ray took up roller skating. He continued to skate after graduation, where he ended up meeting his beloved future wife. He was skating a night session and needed a partner, so he asked a young lady by the name of Patricia Best to skate, and she said “Yes.” That was in 1954 and they ended up marrying in June of 1956. They spent every possible moment together until she sadly passed away last year after 64 years of marriage.
In 1962, Ray started his company, Ray Esser Plumbing & Heating Company, in Elyria, eventually changing the company to Ray Esser & Sons, Inc. in 1986, where he proudly worked a combined 59 years every day, putting his heart, soul, and love in to every part. He never stopped working until just about 6 weeks ago. In 1969 he helped manage the State Champion Little League West Major All Star Team. His team won regionals, and eventually went on to play in the Little League World Series, where they won 3rd place. After his 25 years of management, he finally stepped down from his position. However, his 1969 Little League Team was inducted into the Elyria Hall of Fame in 1997. He proudly devoted so much of his time to the little league team because he was able to coach his 2 sons during part of those years. After little league though, he lovingly devoted his time to his 2 daughters and their competitive roller skating. He would be at every practice and competition all over the country. After skating, Ray went back to coaching Little League until the age of 70.
Ray looked forward to planting his garden every year. He treasured his time with his family and enjoyed taking care of the pool at his home, making sure it was just perfect for his wife, children, and grandkids, who all loved using it in the summer. He is a very long time member of St. John Lutheran Church, Elyria.
He is survived by his sons; Randy W. & Kathy, of Elyria Twp., and Richard A., of South Amherst, daughters; Rae Lynn Esser-Moore & Rich Moore, of Elyria Twp., and Renee Esser & David Sabo, of Elyria Twp. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Ryen & Margaret Esser, Elizabeth & Adam Clark, Erica Esser & Anthony Thigpen , Rebecca & Todd Hohla, Jesse & Danielle Moore, and Ivanna & Alexander Esser-Whidden, and his great grandchildren; Madison Clark, Terry Devon Esser-Walker, and Peyton Thigpen.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia L. (nee Best) Esser, parents, John and Kathryn (nee Mangan) Esser, older sister, Rita Dubena, older brother, Richard “Dick” Esser, younger sister, Aileen Matuzik, and grandson, Richard A. Esser, Jr.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 6th, from 3-7 pm in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, Ohio 44001. Friends will also be received on Thursday, October 7th, from 10:00 am until the time of his funeral service at 10:30 am, at St. John Lutheran Church, 1140 West River Road, N., Elyria, OH 44035. Burial will follow in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria. To send an online condolence, please go to www.dovinreberjones.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions, in Raymond’s memory, be made to either St. John Lutheran Church, 1140 West River Road, N., Elyria, OH 44035, or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110.
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