RAYMOND L. STRAIN

Raymond  L. Strain , affectionately known as “Baby Ray”, age 64 departed this life on  Saturday, August 11, 2018 at his home with family.  Born April 13, 1954 at  Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio to the late Catherine E. and Raphael R. Strain. 

He became a member of Bethel CME Church at a very young age.  He loved his church family.  As a faithful member he served on the Board of Trustee’s and as a member of the Men’s Choir.  Ray graduated from McKinley High School and remained a loyal “Bulldog”.  He was a graduate of Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Virginia, Bachelor of Arts; major in Political Science and received his degree on May 20, 1984.  He went on to the University of Akron and obtained his master’s in Public Administration on May 18, 1991.  he was a public servant and loved his community; he was a team player with good  verbal and written communication skills; he always demonstrated a community mindset while maintaining a high degree of professional integrity; a list of jobs he held includes the following: Saint Thomas Aquinas High School as an Assistant Track Coach (9 yrs.), Deputy Registrar of the State of Ohio Motor Vehicles (1991-2005), Substitute Teacher at Canton City Schools (2007-2009), Constituent Liaison/Case Worker at the United States House of Representatives, the 16th Congressional District of Ohio, he worked as a Social Security and Medicare Congressional Liaison and his responsibilities included but not   limited to an advocate for more than 900 constituents with their Social Security and     Medicare claims. He expedited 2.2 million dollars in critical and dire need cases back to the Congressional District from the United States Treasury.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Ora Strain, whom he would proudly let you know she served in Armed forces as a Captain; (2) wonderful sons that he was so proud of and affectionately referred to them as “Frick and Frack”, Raymond L. Hunley of Canton, Ohio and Raymond L. Strain, Jr. (Latoia) of Minerva, Ohio; his beautiful, intelligent and caring daughters, Catherine M. Strain of Canton, Ohio, Keshia Rene James of Cary, North Carolina, a devoted brother Doug (Blanche) Strain of Gastonia, South Carolina, (1) sister, Lenora Strain of Canton, Ohio; (13) grandchildren, Cassidy, Mya Rae , Jace  Raymond, Jazmyne Promise & Malik Raesaen Hunley, Ayanna , Eric, & Erin Strain,  JAllen  & Jay Barrino, Gregory Lake, Derek Norman & Timia Hasker; special friends, Billy Floyd, Clay Greggs, Herbert Anderson and Quentin Moore; special nephews, Willie & Jeff Strain of Gastonia, North Carolina; special cousins, Sylvester & LaDonya Kimbrough , George & Kevin Strain; special nieces, Roslyn & Renee Strain; special uncle, Harold Kimbrough;  special aunts, Ruth & Maddlyn.  Ray will be forever loved and deeply missed.

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