Ray "Fuzzy" Thompson

A funeral service celebrating the life of Ray “Fuzzy” Thompson, age 94, formerly of Rocky Fork, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home with Pastor David Helser officiating. Burial will take place in Rocky Fork Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, November 20, at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street in Newark.

Ray was born May 21, 1929 in Licking County, Ohio to the late Frank E. and Grace (Penick) Thompson. He passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Altercare of Thornville.

During his career, Ray had a variety of occupations including working on the railroad, as a truck driver, factory worker, and welder. He owned a drilling rig business and worked in the oil fields. He and his wife owned the Pine Bluff Restaurant in Fallsburg. He loved cars, especially Fords, and enjoyed watching car races.

He is survived by his loving wife of 76 years, Betty E. (Clark) Thompson, whom he married October 24, 1947; two daughters, Darla (Michael) Walker of Heath and Lou Berens of Newark; grandchildren, Lori (Richard) Junkins, Stephanie (Andrew) Baker, Jeremy Berens, Camieo (Bryan) Adams, and Brian Walker; eleven great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jack and Janelle Clark, Emilee Clark and Shirley Clark; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Earl, Guy, Walter, and Wilbur Thompson; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Thelma Mills, Norma Davidson, Lewis “Butters” Clark, Duane Clark, and Bernard Clark.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Ray and his family.