Raymond Harry Eshelman

Ray Eshelman was a remarkable man whose love and devotion to his family was the foundation of his life. Known for his humility, generosity and fortitude (and his amazing humor), he was a respected leader, competitor and visionary who held his family dear and lived a long successful life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Long time residents of Naples Florida, Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Alice McMullen Eshelman and their three children, Pete (Alice) Eshelman, Julie Eshelman-Lee (Felix) and Timothy Eshelman; he had three adoring grandchildren: Peter Eshelman, Jr., Eliza Eshelman and Hilary Eshelman-Dillon (Brian) as well as two great grandchildren, Ray and Clark Miron. Also, a dear sister-in-law in Louisiana, Catherine McMullen. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Tom (Doris) Eshelman and survived by their children, Raoul, Kristian, Nicholas, Ian and their families.

The son of Winifred and Harry Eshelman, Ray was raised in Dayton, Ohio, where he attended St Agnes and Sacred Heart Latin grade schools and Chaminade High School, graduating from Fairview High School in June of 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy a month later serving in the Pacific and was honorably discharged after the war in April of 1946.

The following year, he began work for the Berry Company, a large Yellow Pages advertising company headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. He started as a sales rep in their Louisiana division where he met his wife Alice and they had their three children in New Orleans, before being promoted and moving to the home office in Dayton in 1960. Ray retired in 1988 as the President and Chief Executive Officer, after 41 years with the company.

Ray was involved in numerous community and business activities primarily in Dayton: Director of the Dayton Opera and the Dayton Philharmonic; a lifetime Director Emeritus of the Dayton Performing Arts Fund as well as Director Emeritus of the Wright State University Foundation. He served as a director of Moraine Country Club in Dayton, Ohio and Quail Creek Country Club, Naples Florida.

He served on the board of directors of the Berry Company, the Loren M. Berry Foundation, ITT World Directories, ITT World Directories-Ireland, Fox Technology, and The Dayton Walther Corporation. He was proud to be a founding director of Key Trust Bank in Naples, Florida. He was a founding director of the National Yellow Pages Service Association, serving as its first elected President for two terms and in 1996 was the recipient of its Award of Excellence for his outstanding contribution to the Yellow Pages industry.

In 1987, he was the recipient of the Spirit of American Free Enterprise from the Dayton Junior Achievement Free Enterprise Foundation. He served on the Dayton Area Progress Council and was active with the United Way for many years.

During his service in the U.S. Navy, Ray served in the Pacific on LST 801 and participated in the Okinawa invasion. His ship transported troops of the 77th Army Infantry Division and landed them first on an island 15 miles southwest of Okinawa, six days prior to its invasion to destroy the airstrips and cut off an escape route. After securing the island, the troops reboarded and landed on Okinawa on LDAY the code word for the invasion. In August 1945 he was assigned to Officers Training School at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

A lifelong golfer, Ray used to say, “One of the few advantages of growing old is that you have the opportunity to shoot your age.” He did just that, 19 times, starting at age 74.

There are no public services being held at this time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.