Raymond (Ray) L. Wilson, 1933-2017

Wilson Raymond L. "Ray" Wilson November 22, 1933 April 17, 2017. He was born in Toledo, Ohio to John Wilson of Scotland and Martha Martin Wilson of Indiana. Ray attended public schools in Tipp City and Troy, Ohio. He graduated from Troy High School in June 1951 and from The Ohio State University in March 1956, where he and his wife, Jo, later established the Wilson Vocal Awards program. Ray married Jo Ellen Secoy of Troy in December 1955. They shared experiences in vocal and instrumental music in High School and repeated this at Ohio State, in church choir activity and the Columbus Symphony Chorus. Ray is survived by his three daughters, Katherine, Sarah and Gwendolyn (Dan); grandchildren, Laurel (Kyle), Mac (Terri), Jessica and Jocelyn (CJ). He was employed by Nationwide Insurance Companies in early 1956, left in June 1956 for two years military service in the US Army, then returned to Nationwide where he worked 36 years until his retirement in 1992 as Senior Vice-President, reporting to CEO, John Fisher. During his career Ray represented Nationwide in several local and national insurance organizations and served on the boards of the Central Ohio YMCA, Southeast Ohio Muscular Dystrophy Association, Opera Columbus and Cantari Singers of Columbus. Nationwide assignments took the family to Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles before a return to Columbus, later followed by a move back to Detroit to work with subsidiary companies and then a return to Columbus for several various assignments until his retirement. Ray and his daughters, family and friends lost Jo in 2012. Following retirement, Ray became interested in photography and had the good fortune to associate with a number of fine artists who taught him, imparted knowledge of their skills, and shared fellowship and experiences over several years. This figured significantly in his later travels throughout North America. Ray married Geraldine Foxx, a THS classmate, on March 24, 2013. They lived in Columbus, enjoying their active and varied lives fully by themselves and with many members of their two families, traveling frequently about the U.S., Canada and elsewhere in an RV, an old Yukon or a pickup, sometimes with their cats and dogs, but always with their binoculars and cameras. Early in their marriage, they used their enjoyment of travel to help each other become acquainted with their new families, traveling to Michigan, Oklahoma, Arizona and Canada. In 2014, they spent 11 weeks with their pets in the RV for a 10,000+ mile jaunt including Nevada, California, much of Western U.S., Canada and two weeks in Alaska. Ray leaves these words: "It was a lovely life too short, as any of us must feel. But while living it, and now as leaving it, I have given thanks for my families, the company of so many wonderful friends and companions and, simply and gratefully, for the privilege of having known the wonderful, incomprehensible brightness of this wonderful event we call life! So long." In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer a gift in Ray's memory might consider the The Ohio State University Foundation, Wilson Vocal Awards Fund (#607728), 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221. The family will receive friends and guests for a gathering beginning 12 noon, followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Ohio Cremation & Memorial Service, 5464 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214. Please visit www.OhioCremation.org to leave Ray's family an online condolence.