Earsel Ray Leadingham

Born on February 2, 1939 in Franklin Furnace, Ohio to the late Irene Leadingham/Pierce. Ray was one of 11 children born to Irene. Most of his childhood was in Franklin Furnace, Ohio growing up on the family farm. Ray was a member of the graduating class of 1957 from Green High School . After high school, Ray joined the United States Air Force and was trained in communications. He was stationed in Lybia and San Franciscco before being discharged. Ray moved to Dayton, Ohio and married Deanna Rae Leadingham and had a son, Dean Patrick Leadingham, in 1972. During this time he worked and played softball for McCall's/ Dayton Press until he retired from there upon their closing in 1982. Ray went back to school at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio and obtained an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering. Following the completion of his degree, he was employed for several years by Dimension Electronics in Beavercreek, OH, before moving on to a job with the U.S. Government at DESC in Kettering. In 1996, DESC was closed and Ray moved with its operations to Columbus, OH. Upon his retirement, Ray moved to Largo Florida and spent the next two decades spending time between Largo, Fl, in the winter and Beavercreek, OH, during the summer. Wife, Deanna Leadingham passed away in May, 2007 and Ray spent the rest of his life with his companion Pat Needham .

Ray will be remembered for his love of working with his hands and his love of Amature Radio. He mantained his Amature Radio licese under the call sign "KG8M" from the 70's until his passing and attented the Dayton Hamvention every year. While only having formal training in Electrical Engineering, Ray was known for his ability to take anything apart, being able to fix, and reassemble it. He was able to do carpentry, auto repair, some house remodeling and was known to always be doing something. Ray will be remembered for his devotion to his son and family.

Ray was predeceased by his wife Deanna, his parents Irene and step-father James; brothers Herbert, Gene, and sisters Ruth Ann and Willma Bernier. Ray is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Pat and Heather Leadingham, brothers Paul, David, and Orland Leadingham and brother James Pierce. Ray is also survived by his sisters, Mary Lou Willaims and Helen Martin.

A graveside celebration of Ray's life will take place on September 8, 2018 at 1 PM at Junior Furnace Cemetery, on Junior Furnace Road, Franklin Furnace, Scioto County, Ohio, 45629. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the American Diabetes Association. Further information can be gotten by contacting his son at [email protected]