Raymond Joseph "Ray" Fike, Jr.

Raymond Joseph "Ray" Fike, Jr. of Athens, MI






Ray, age 66, went to be with our Lord and Savior on the morning of June 16, 2015 following a lengthy fight with esophageal cancer.

Ray, the son of Raymond J. Fike, Sr. and Norine J. Greenfield, was born in Sault Ste. Marie, MI on April 9, 1949 and later moved to lower Michigan in 1973. He served his country honorably and nobly during the Viet Nam War as a SP4 in the United States Army. He was a Ranger in Company B, 75th Infantry Fifth United States Army. Ray was united in marriage to his loving wife Theresa A. Fike (Simpkin) in Sault Ste. Marie on November 15, 1969. He retired in 2010 after 25 years of faithful service as Maintenance Supervisor for Athens Area Schools.

Ray looked forward to spending his retirement doing the things he loved. He had big plans of camping and fishing with his wife and dogs. He loved to play his guitar while sitting around a camp fire with his family. He was a devoted husband, amazing father and a fun loving grandfather/great- grandfather.


Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond J. Fike, Sr. and Norine J. Greenfield and a very Special Uncle, Daniel Fike. Surviving is his wife of 46 years, Theresa; three daughters, Brenda L. Von Bank of Tower City, ND; Debra A. Garcia of Marshall , MI and Ann M. (Tony) Woody of Battle Creek, MI; a son, Raymond J. (Jennifer) Fike, III of Athens, MI; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Ann (Richard) Cross of Sault Ste. Marie; Wanita Dunlap of Charleston, NC and Glenda McDonald of Warren, MI; three brothers, James Loran (Teri) Fike of Buckner, MO; Mark Matheny of Detroit , MI and Daniel Cleg of Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Also surviving are Ray's fury children, Sadie May and Buster. Ray was truly an amazing guy who loved to tell a good joke. He was loved and admired by many and will be truly missed by all.

The Graveside Service to celebrate Ray's Life will be held on Monday, June 22nd at 2:30 p.m. in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI, with Rev. Marvin Savola, Pastor of the North Athens Baptist Church officiating and the United States Army Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full, military honors. There will be no visitation at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.