Charles Cedrick Ray

Charles Cedrick Ray, 70, a graduate of Dover High School Class of 1948 , and a longtime resident of Canton, succummed to lung cancer on February 27, 2001, at the family home, 335 W. 4th St., Dover.

Born October 27, 1930 at Parral, he was the son of Beatrice Huffman Ray and Buford Ray, Sr., who both reside in Country Club Retirement Center at Dover.

His only child, Charisse Darcel Ray, resides in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to his parents and daughter, he is survived by sisters Darlene, Catherine, and Dianna Lynn of Dover; brothers Buford Jr. and Alfonso of Dover and Richard ''Rex'' of Gahanna, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn, and three brothers, Arthur Philip, Napoleon and Clabe.

Charles' life was highlighted with many accomplishments. A veteran of the Korean War, his unit fought the enemy in an intense battle on ''Bloody Ridge'' the night of November 3, 1952. He was one of the very first few from Tuscarawas County who earned the Army's prestigious Combat Infantry Badge and he also achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class.

After the war, he studied medicine at Carnegie Institute and Kent State, eventually becoming one of the first medical technicians (Cytology) in the nation. He also achieved LPN status at Fort Gordon in Georgia as a member of the Army Reserve unit in Canton.

He began his working career at Barr's Drugstore in Dover, after high school, he worked for Robinson Clay Company in Midvale. In the medical arena, he was part owner and manager of a private laboratory and on the staff at Aultman Hospital for over 26 years, both in Canton. He worked for Thabbit Laboratory in Mansfield for nearly seven years.

Charles retired from the Army Reserve in 1990 with the highest grade of Sergeant Major and was decorated for distinguished military service with the Meritorious Service Medal. He retired from Aultman Hospital in 1991.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:30 in the First Baptist Church in Dover with Rev. Christopher Lowery officiating. Interment will be in the Dover Burial Park, where military graveside services will be conducted by the Dover VFW.

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the National Cancer Society or Hospice of Tuscarawas County in lieu of flowers.