Ray Swick

Ray Swick, 84, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on September 14, 2025. Born on March 6, 1941, to the late Argel and Eunice Swick. Ray is survived by his children Lea Linthicum and Bill (Jackie) Swick. Two grandchildren, Emilea Swick (Rory Gonzalez) and Austin Swick. One great-grandchild, Adalyn Swick. Ray is also survived by many friends; he was known by many as not just a friend, but seemingly everyone’s best friend. He attended Licking Heights High School where he met his first wife, Janice Worthington. They passed their love for horses on to their children through involvement in 4H and regularly attending county fairs and horse shows throughout the region. Ray was always ready with his truck and trailer to transport kids and horses to make sure that no one missed out on the fun. Having a son with Down syndrome, the family hosted events for Starlight School of Licking County, inviting the entire school to the family farm for hayrides and interaction with horses. Today there are many therapeutic farm-type activities for the developmentally disabled, and we would like to think they were pioneers in this area in the early 1970s. He carried this sense of thoughtfulness throughout his life and was always willing to lend support wherever needed. Later in life his love turned from horses to golf. He spent several of his early retirement years working at Broadview Golf Course as a way to support his passion! Ray loved to golf and spent many years on the Tuesday Boozers League. When he wasn’t golfing, he enjoyed playing poker and euchre and was an avid reader, with a special love of the dime store westerns he read by the hundreds. Born and raised in the Pataskala area, he longed for warm weather and escaped to Texas and Florida but eventually made it back to Ohio and spent his final years living with his daughter in Reynoldsburg to be closer to his family. We got him a remote car starter and a space heater to brave those Ohio winters. Along with his parents Ray was preceded in death by special friend, Ruth Appleman, sister Ruth Emma Winters, son-in-law Gary Linthicum, and beloved son Scotty Swick. Friends and family may call from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at KAUBER-FRALEY FUNERAL HOME, 289 S. Main St., Pataskala, OH 43062. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ray’s name may be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (https://dsaco.net/donate/), or Dreams on Horseback (https://dreamsonhorseback.org/give/)