"Decency, generosity, cooperation, assistance in trouble, devotion to duty; these are the things that are of greater value than surface appearances and customs." --Dwight D. Eisenhower. Raymond T. Bates, age 76, of Toledo, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2004, peacefully at home after a short illness. And peacefully was the way Ray, always a gentle and thoughtful man, lived his life. It is this characteristic for which he was so greatly loved by his family, and for which he will be best remembered. Ray, a lifelong Toledoan, was born September 2, 1927, to parents Harold and Helen Bates. He was a 1946 graduate of Waite High School and served in the armed forces in both World War II and the Korean War after which he married Shirley A. Deindoerfer in 1953. He worked as a cost accountant for Craft Master Corporation, retiring in 1985. He later worked for 10 years at the Sacred Heart Home and, despite triple-bypass surgery two years ago, volunteered for the Little Sisters of the Poor until recently. Ray was baptized at Eastminster United Presbyterian Church, where he remained an active member his entire life, a testament to his strong faith. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his wife, his three daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved animals, especially his dog, Maggie, whom he walked every day, another symbol of his gentle nature. Ray also belonged to the Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Post 587 for 28 years, and was still active. In 2001, Ray finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of piloting an airplane. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Alice Heath, and brother Kenneth Bates. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley; daughters, Susan (Dennis) Kirk, Lori (Kenneth) Sampsel of Danville, IN, and Julie Donley; grandchildren, Jessica (Jeremy) Johnson, Dustin Kirk, Jon Donley II, Joseph Donley and Whitney Kirk; great-grandchildren, Jayson, Jasmine and Justin Johnson, and best friend, Kenneth Skiver of Port Richey, FL. Friends may call from 2-9 p.m. on Monday, May 3, at the Eggleston Meinert Pavley Funeral Home on Coy Road in Oregon with Conn-Weissenberger Services at 7:30 Monday. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4th. Burial will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. The family would like to give special thanks to Gary Gilkerson and all the caregivers at Hospice, especially Corrie his nurse, Konnie, Chaplin Karen Thompson, for their dedicated care. Donations may be presented to either Eastminster United Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." Psalm, 37:37. Visitation: Visitation Times 2-9 Monday Coy Road Chapel