Raymond Henry Nething Jr.

Raymond Henry Nething Jr was born April 28, 1952 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, son of Raymond Henry Nething, Sr and Elizabeth “Betty” Adeline McFadden Nething. In 1959, his family moved from the Detroit area to Titusville, FL where his dad worked as an electrical engineer for NASA. His mother, Betty, raised Ray and his sisters, Janet and Eileen. Growing up in Titusville, he enjoyed an unconventional and adventurous childhood where he forged friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Ray held many trade jobs that fit his jack-of-all-trades personality: Ace Hardware, Watkins Paint & Wallpaper, and eventually starting his own carpentry business, Fine Cabinetry Inc. He met Connie Miller in 1984 when they lived across the street from each other in College Park, Orlando. They married in 1985 and welcomed three daughters: Anna, Chelsea, and Julia over their almost 40 years of marriage.

Ray was a full-time dad to all three children, supporting his wife and family in the home. He was known to every friend, neighbor, and fellow PTA member as the go-to fix-it guy. His creativity and encyclopedic knowledge of anything electrical, mechanical, or woodworking-related was a phenomenal blessing to his community. His faith was very important to him. He co-taught Sunday school at First Baptist of Windermere for many years, and particularly enjoyed playing the role of Martin Luther for the annual re-enactment of the Protestant Reformation. Also, after losing his father in 1998, he worked tirelessly for the next 23 years to care for his mother until her passing in July 2021.

While Ray had an impressive breadth of knowledge, he had two great passions: woodworking, and music. He was an excellent carpenter who used his skills to create anything from custom furniture to homework dioramas. He played the guitar, collected records, and traveled all over the country for concerts. His true love was for the Allman Brothers Band, who he had followed since the band started touring in the 70s.

Some of his finest memories were of seeing ABB at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, listening to Peakin’ at the Beacon, and travelling to Macon, GA for the Gathering of the Allman Brothers & Sisters.

Ray was, in every way, a talented and unique person that touched the life of every person he came across. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two of his beloved institutions: Skycraft Parts & Surplus, and Boston Market. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, three grandchildren, his sisters, and many lifelong friends. Visitation will occur on Sunday, July 20th at 2:30pm, preceding a 3pm Celebration of Life at Family Church in Windermere, FL, The burial and open house reception will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Focus on the Family or the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House.

It is the family’s personal wish that you think of Ray whenever you hear the song “Ramblin’ Man.”

“And the road goes on forever….”

-“Midnight Rider,” the Allman Brothers Band, 1971