Raymond E. Enyart, 95, known by many as “Ray the Lawnmower Man” of Rochester, passed away at 1:25 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, at Life Care Center of Rochester.

On May 19, 1919, Raymond Earl was born in Henpeck, just outside of Twelve Mile. He was a treasured son of Earl and Ursa Filbey Enyart. Growing up as one of eight children, Ray shared his childhood with three sisters and four brothers. With great Bulldog pride, Ray graduated with his class from Fulton High School in 1936.

Ray and Ruth Meek were married on Dec. 7, 1940, in Peru. Together they shared over 74 years of life’s adventures. From their union came two beautiful daughters June and Sharon. Over the years the family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of three grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

As the second oldest of the Enyart kids, Ray acquired a strong work ethic from his dad and experiencing the Great Depression, at the tender age of ten years old. He was dedicated to Torx, working as a tool and die maker from 1951-1983 when he retired to go into small engine repair full-time.

An entrepreneur, amazing man, gifted with his hands and mechanical abilities Ray, went full-time with his small engine repair, opening Ray’s Lawnmower Shop situated in the southwest quadrant of Rochester. He welcomed customers here, solving problems, repairing engines, ensuring customer satisfaction as the primary ingredient for success. Although push mowers were his specialties— he acquired a great love for John Deere riders. He formally retired less than a year ago in the spring of 2014. Each day, Ray trekked to join the Burger King breakfast bunch at 9:30 a.m. for coffee, catching up on the latest and solving the world’s problems. Always sharing his table were Wayne, George and Linda.

A faithful member of the Rochester Church of the Nazarene for more than 66 years, Ray physically and financially contributed to the building of the present structure, completed in 1965. As a good steward, he served his church as trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, drove the church bus, missions director and taught Sunday School to the teen group for a number of years. Ruth and Ray embraced a memorable missions trip to Suriname in the 1980’s.They also once visited the Bahamas on a mission to help in the building of a church.

Remembered for a great sense of humor, Ray loved a good joke. He fashioned the foundation of his life around faith, family and friends. Ray and Ruth enjoyed adventures traveling to family and friends, visiting Michigan, Tennessee, Florida and Ohio to name a few of their favorite destinations. Promptness was his middle name, always 10 minutes early, and he preferred to make immediate payment in cash.

A connoisseur of music, Ray loved Lawrence Welk, southern gospel, country and patriotic. A man of perpetual motion over the years Ray built four homes. He once raised over 5000 chickens. In his younger years he and Ruth planted a truck patch garden each spring, then canned and froze the bountiful harvest every autumn. He also planted colorful flower beds to accent the landscape. One year he planted peanuts and cotton, giving them some northern exposure.

Left to cherish Ray’s memory are his loving wife, Ruth; two daughters: June (David) Howe, Rochester; Sharon (Dohn) Herington, Mundelein, Ill.; three grandchildren: Doug Howe, Cheryl (Mike) Cholewczynski; Marc (Suzanne) Alan Herington; two great-grandchildren: Lindsay Herington, Brook Herington; a sister: Norma (Dale) Becker, Rochester; two brothers: Emerson (Barbara) Enyart, Rochester; Carl (Pat) Enyart,  South Bend; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and the many friends he met at Ray’s Lawnmower Shop.

Preceding Ray in death are his parents, two sisters: Evelyn Williams and Eileen Simpson; and two brothers: Wilson Enyart and Kenneth Enyart.

The Enyart family wishes to express their grateful appreciation for the kind assistance, love and care conveyed to their dad by Carl Damron, Ralph Bright, Randy and Carol Shelburne, Pastor Don Meyer, Emerson and Barb Enyart, Norma and Dale Becker and the staff of Gentiva Hospice.

A celebration of the life of Mr. Raymond Earl Enyart will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester with Rev. Don Meyer officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Gentiva Hospice or the Church of the Nazarene Missions Fund. A private family burial will be Saturday in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.