Raymond Gehl

Raymond Richard Gehl, 88, of Concord, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2019 at The Gardens of Taylor Glen in Concord, NC.

Ray was born March 30, 1931 in Elyria, OH to the late Richard Joseph Gehl and the late Luella Louise Wilcoxson Gehl.  He was also preceded in death by brother, Gerry Gehl; and sister, Carol Bennett.

Ray attended Valparaiso University where he met and married Shirley Pauline Frank of Washington D.C.  After graduating in 1953 with a degree in Civil Engineering Ray was drafted and served two years in the army.  Upon completion of his army service, Ray and Shirley moved to Detroit, Michigan where he began his engineering career and received his professional engineer’s license.  They settled in Livonia, MI where Ray served many roles over the next 25 years in the engineering field.  He retired from his role of Executive Vice President of Wade, Trim and Associates in Taylor, MI and moved to Houston, TX to join Bechtel Corporation as Project Manager.  Ray and Shirley moved to Bella Vista, AR in 1985 where they spent the next 28 years in semi and full retirement.  While in Bella Vista, Ray shared his passion for life and personal faith serving as a Stephen Minister for 14 years and volunteering for Oaks Indian Mission.  In 2013 Ray and Shirley moved to Concord, NC to be closer to family.   In Concord Ray and Shirley became active in Calvary Lutheran Church as well as their community at The Gardens of Taylor Glen.

Ray will be remembered as a loving husband of 66 years, and devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather.  All who knew him were blessed with his calm presence, his great curiosity of all things, his dry sense of humor, and warm smile.

Survivors include beloved wife of 66 years, Shirley Pauline Gehl of The Gardens of Taylor Glen, Concord; daughter, Debbie (Claude) Peyrot of Pentwater, MI;  son, Kevin (Sandy) Gehl of Concord; son, Keith (Gerry) Gehl of Concord; sister, Marilynn Rossi of Vermilion, OH; grandchildren Michelle (Pat) Ward of Chesterton, IN; Adam (Courtney) Gehl of Antioch, IL; Adrian (Jennifer) Peyrot of Grayslake, IL; Nicholas (Greg) Gehl of Evanston, IL; Brian Peyrot of Chicago, IL; Jeremy Gehl of Chicago, IL; and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Friday August 2, 2019 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord NC. The memorial service will be at 11:00 am at the church, officiated by The Rev. Deborah Frye.  A private burial will take place in Valparaiso, IN.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ray to Oaks Indian Mission, PO Box 130, Oaks, OK 74359-0130, www.oaksindianmission.org; or to the Memorial Fund at Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 Bradley St, Concord, NC 28025 www.clconcord.org.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Gehl family.