Raymond Marshall Vincent Jr. (September 12, 1932 – October 29, 2015)

Raymond Marshall Vincent, Jr., age 83

ZANESVILLE –Raymond Marshall Vincent, Jr., (“Ray” or “RV”) of Zanesville, died Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Born September 12, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a retired pastor, having served churches in Peekskill, N.Y., Cresson, PA and Butler, PA, before coming to Ohio and serving four churches in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church:
Dresden United Methodist Church, West Milton United Methodist Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, Columbus, and Grace United Methodist Church, Zanesville. At both the
Dresden Church and Zanesville Grace Church, he had the distinction of serving longer than any pastor in their history. Ray was known in the area for writing a full length Passion Play, which was produced over fifty times. During his ministry he and his wife engaged many area youth with church activities such as Vacation Bible School, Puppet Shows, Magic Shows, Live Nativity, Coffee House, Skating Parties, Christmas Plays, and Haunted House events.

He retired in July of 1999, having been a minister for 45 years. In retirement, he wrote four books of family stories, combining his interests in story-telling, history, and genealogy. Ray carried the middle name of “Marshall” because he was a direct descendent of John Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who is credited with transforming the Court into a truly equal branch of our government as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. While disliking the name as a child, he did in time come to fully appreciate and be proud of it.

He also enjoyed cooking a weekly dinner for his children and grandchildren, and did so for over ten years. The grandchildren named the get-together “Grandpa Ray’s Cafe.”

In addition to writing and cooking, Ray’s hobbies also included model trains, woodworking, and collectibles. In earlier years he operated his own portrait photography business and served as a history teacher in his home state of Pennsylvania.

His education included Edinboro College and Slippery Rock College in Pennsylvania; Nyack College in New York; the Lutheran Theological School; and the Methodist Theological School of Ohio. In 1995, he was recognized by his alma mater with an award for influencing six men and women to attend the school in preparation for entrance into the ministry.

Surviving are his four children; daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen Ann and David Mitchell of Pataskala; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen Gregg and Tammy (Howard) Vincent of Zanesville; daughter, Cynthia Rae Vincent of Zanesville; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel Marshall and Karen (Bates) Vincent of Zanesville. He has six surviving grandchildren; Karlei Rae Mitchell (Brian) Rutti of Clintonville, Jeff Mitchell of Columbus, Amelia (Casey) Lepi of South Carolina, Sarah (Chase) Tippie of Frazeysburg, Laura (Austin) James of Arkansas, and Noah Vincent of Zanesville. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren; Benjamin and Emmeline Rutti and Lincoln Lepi.

He also has several nieces and nephews: Pat (Tom) Rauch of Pennsylvania; Don (Lois) Vincent of New Jersey and Ruth Manson of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Margaret Katherine (Meiler) Vincent; his parents, Raymond Marshall Vincent, Sr. and Laura (Pedrick) Vincent; by his brother, Alvin Marshall Vincent; his grandson, Fred Mitchell; and his nephew, Jimi Marshall Vincent. His father had been a Baptist minister.

Ray was a man of great stories, loud laughs, and a generous, compassionate heart. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 from 3-7 pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 5th and Shinnick Streets with a Memorial Service following at 7 pm, Pastor Mark Chow officiating. Arrangements by Snouffer Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church

THE SNOUFFER FUNERAL HOME has the distinct honor of serving the Vincent family. To send a note of condolence please visit www.snoufferfuneralhome.com, find us on Facebook,or call us at 740-450-8000.