Forrest Ray Jones, 81 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, died of COVID-19 on November 5th, 2021.
Ray was born October 10th, 1940 in Nestorville, West Virginia. He was the son of Clyde Everett and Dessie Jones. Ray spent his childhood in the beloved mountains of West Virginia. His family later moved to Ohio, where he graduated from Midview High School in Grafton, Ohio.
He later went on to Baldwin Wallace College in Beria, Ohio. After completing undergraduate work, Ray went on to a graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin. While in Madison he met his beautiful wife Rebecca (Becky) DeWald. They were married on May 3rd, 1969 in Middleton, Wisconsin.
They moved to Green County, where Ray began his teaching and coaching career. He taught in Monticello for five years, during which time their son Christopher and daughter Kimberly were born. In 1974 they moved to Monroe, and in 1976 their second daughter Heather was born. For the next 34 years Ray taught eighth grade science at Monroe Junior High School. Ray, also known as Coach Jones, coached multiple sports, including baseball and basketball. Ray coached all levels, seventh grade through varsity, tallying more than 300 wins on the basketball court. A highlight of his coaching career was taking an elite team of Lady Cheesemakers to the WIAA State Tournament for the first time in Monroe’s school history – ‘Went to State in ’88!’
Ray was just as at home in the gym as he was in the science lab. He loved teaching science and never considered it a job. Each student and coworker were important to Ray, and many former students still remember their eighth-grade leaf collection project.
Ray was involved in many activities through the years including Optimist Club, board member at the Monroe Senior Center, Backpack Buddy Program and Family Promise. He and Becky were members of the Monroe Bible Church for 45 years. Ray served as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and was active in missions. Ray helped start MBC’s AWANA program and served as ministry leader for the Prime Timers Senior Ministries.
Because of his love for nature and the outdoors, Ray enjoyed traveling and taking in the beauty across our country and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Ray served as Chaplain for the outreach ministry, Fishers of Men.
After retiring Ray worked at Aster Assisted Living in Monroe. He also spent a few fun-filled months as the singing flower delivery man for a local floral shop. His love for music always gave him a song in his heart and on his lips.
In 2018 his life’s journey took him and Becky to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He became involved in the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, managing the facility’s hydroponics and growth machines. Ray was recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his efforts at the pantry. He enjoyed both working with the volunteers and getting to meet new people. After moving to Oshkosh Ray and Becky also became involved at Oak Brook Evangelical Free Church. A highlight this year for Ray was serving at the EAA MASA mission tent.
If you were to ask Ray what was most important in his life, he would say his love for the Lord, his love for his family and a Friday night fish fry!
Ray is survived by Rebecca, his wife of 52 years, his three children, Christopher (Lori) Jones, Kimberly Eschenbauch, Heather (Adrian) Farris, his five grandchildren Logan, Aidan, Alynn (fiancée Derek) Jones, Cole (fiancée Scotti), Dayne Farris, and great grandchild Nevaeh Farris, his four siblings, Frank (Sandy) Jones, Connie (Nolan) Smith, Thomas Jones, Keith (Pam) Jones, sister-in-law Karen Alderden, and many nieces and nephews in Ohio, Arizona and Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett Clyde and Dessie Jones. Mother and father-in-law, Marian and Floyd DeWald, sister-in-law Sharon Jones, brother-in-law Dwyane Marx and brother-in-law Robert Alderden.
Donations in his honor can be directed to Oshkosh Community Food Pantry or Oakbrook Evangelical Free Church Missions Fund, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at a later date due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic.
