Obituary of Ray F. Eckholm, Jr.

Ray F. Eckholm, Jr., 91, of Celoron, NY, passed away at 6:56 am Monday, July 20, 2020, in his home. A lifelong area resident, he was born October 3, 1928 in Jamestown, NY, a son of the late Ray F. and Edith Taylor Eckholm, Sr. Ray was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force serving from September 30, 1946 to September 29, 1949. Before his retirement, he was a security guard for the Blackstone Corporation for 18 years and following retirement had work for NACO Trucking, Inc. In earlier years he was one of the last known home delivery milkman in the Jamestown area working for former Dairylea, Jenkins Dairy and Lake County Dairy. He had also worked for the Gil Tex Company, Taylor Music and for the Chautauqua County Ambulance Service. He was a member of the First Covenant Church, serving as an usher for several years. Ray loved to serve his fellow man by being a 69 year member of the Celoron Hose Company where he was an assistant chief, the department Chaplain and later a member of the fire police. He also was the Chaplain for the Chautauqua County Fire Police and a member and Chaplain of the Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, a member of the Chautauqua County Color Guard and the Celoron Moose Lodge. Surviving are his wife, Marianna Mosher Eckholm, whom he married August 25, 1951, four sons; Jeffrey (Janice) Eckholm of Orange Park, FL, Michael (Dawn) Eckholm of Indian Trail, SC, Gary (Connie) Eckholm of Mill Hall, PA, John (Susan) Eckholm of Stedman, NC, 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Ray's family would like to thank Duane McKotch, close friend and neighbor, for his help in caring for Ray over the years. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters; Lois Stohl and Frances Buck. Due to the restrictions on public gatherings caused by the coronavirus pandemic,a private family service will be held in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Adam Rohler, pastor of the First Covenant Church and Peter Dawson, Chautauqua County Fire Chaplain will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6-8 pm Wednesday in the funeral home, where restrictions on the number of people will be adhered to and masks must be worn at all times. Memorials may be made to the Celoron Hose Company, 92 Dunham Ave. Celoron, NY 14720 or to First Covenant Church, 520 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701.