Raymond William Dudash

TRAVERSE CITY - Raymond W. Dudash, 88, of Traverse City, passed away at his home on June 19, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born on November 20, 1926, in Detroit, to his parents, the late William and Mable (Morrow) Dudash. As a young man, he proudly enlisted and served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and later, as a Sargent in the Korean war.

After the service, he married the love of his life Beverly J. Kotcher, on August 6, 1949, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Detroit. He was employed by the Calvert Lithographing Company in Detroit as a successful sales-printing manager. Upon retiring in 1992, the couple moved from Farmington Hills to Traverse City, where he worked at the Highpoint Golf Course.

Ray had a passion for jazz music and formed a jazz band in which he played the clarinet and sax. He enjoyed photography, boating, golf and spending time with his family and friends. He was a lifetime active member of the Elks and VFW and was fondly known for his humor and kind loving nature; he was loved by all who met him.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Kotcher) Dudash; son, Mark (Denise) Dudash; daughter, Pam (Rick) Davy; grandchildren, twins, Gordon and Nicholas Dudash.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Gordon Dudash.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with visitation held one hour prior. Military Honors will be conducted at the service by the VFW Cherryland Post 2780.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Munson Hospice for the loving care they provided Raymond.

Kindly share your memories with Raymond's family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.