Don't post much, but read occasionally. Was lucky enough to have met Ray at a Gator exhibition baseball game at Tiger town in Lakeland years ago...Great guy, and a great Gator. Huge loss for Gator nation! R.I.P. Ray...Go Gators!!
I'm sorry I missed this thread. I knew Ray had been ill from threads on other forums, and knew he had died as my husband told me when news of his passing was posted on the forums. I had not logged in for a few weeks, taking a much needed break. So in catching up with things I missed I came across this thread and from it was directed to Merritt Ray Dimbath's published obituary. And from there to a link to his funeral. I admit, I did not watch all of it as it was well over an hour, but was touched and amused by tributes spoken by his 2 brothers and a sweet reflection of Ray as a Baskin Robbins customer given by a BR's clerk from his favorite BR's store. Ray was the middle of 3 brothers. During the eulogies one of Ray's brothers revealed Ray was dressed for his burial in Gator boxers, and he, the brother, was also wearing Gator underwear that day in honor of his deceased brother. I learned other things about Ray I did not know. He was born with a club foot that required numerous surgeries and painful therapies throughout his childhood years to help him have a somewhat normal foot. He had to wear special shoes all his life due to his malformed left foot. In his eulogy one of his brothers said it was caused by an automobile accident his pregnant mother was in when she was injured before he was born. One brother said Ray liked "classy cars" and was especially fond of his red 1967 4 speed Pontiac GTO convertible, a car he totaled when he fell asleep one night while driving across the state on US 27. His brother said he replaced it with a red Pontiac Grand Prix that had so many extras it needed 2 sheets of paper posted on the windows to contain all the inventory in the car. Near the end of his life he was in the hospital, silent and non communicating. IN his presence a visiting niece mentioned his GTO 4 and her father (Ray's brother) opened his phone and played Jan and Dean singing about a Mighty GTO and Ray started singing with the recording. Then on his own he started singing 'Surfin' USA' a Beach Boys song. After that his brother said he sang one more song, a hymn. When they left Ray said to him "See you later, Alligator." The funeral concludes with the funeral attendees singing the Florida Alma Mater. The funeral service is posted at this link - https://www.gentry-morrison.com/obituaries/Merritt-Dimbath/#!/TributeWall Also the first post on this thread. R.I.P., RayGator
Now that it has been a minute since Rays passing, as I read through this thread, I selfishly wonder how much time I have left to enjoy family, friends and all things Gator. The mountains, the beaches, love, the forests, movies, books, a hug, kids laughter... I guess my mortality smacks me upside the head as those around me go home. Ray had a great attitude. His truth and candor, his transparency was appreciated. I didn't know him personally but tried to comfort him through those months his suffering challenged him. His faith was an inspiration. The faith of many men on this site, including our kind-hearted trusted rivals has been comforting. Thanks for sharing your challenges. It gives me hope for humanity, even as we watch the shit-show of political divide wreak havoc across the land. Blessings to the men and women who frequent, contribute and manage this site. Stay healthy. Be grateful. And Ray... GO GATORS!
Rest in peace. I didn't have the pleasure to meet the man personally like a lot of you here have but I appreciated his contributions to the forum very much. Condolences to his family and friends as well.
I took a break and came back to this. RIP Ray, you're gatorcountry, and you'll always be honored. May your family and friends have light and love when they think of you.
Ray’s signature used to make a reference to the intersection of Wayne and Wyoming streets in Dayton, Ohio. That’s where his grandparents planted roots when they came from Germany. Yesterday I was downtown and decided to drive past the intersection just to honor him. There is a Wendy’s there where Ray and I had lunch once, so I grabbed lunch and spent some time remembering him. Downtown is a Lutheran Church that was his family’s home church. Ray said he had fond memories as a child going with his grandparents. They sat the same pew every week and, IIRC, Ray had brass plaque printed up with their names on it and installed on the pew. A few months ago that church closed its doors. In the same year Ray is gone and his family‘s church is gone.
This post is a beautiful recap and tribute to a loyal Gator fan - what a sweet and fitting testimony to man who touched many lives. Thank you!
I'm not on much these days and just came across this. Just a delightful person that i never saw have a negative thing to say toward anyone. And in an era where people are communicating faceless on a keyboard, that is extremely rare.
How sad to hear his Church is gone! Although this is probably the case for many churches, especially as you move towards the north. My home church still exists but it's a shadow of it's former vibrant self from the 60's! RayGator is sorely missed on GC, I didn't know him personally but from posting here I felt like I knew him.
You must have missed his posts about D.B. Cooper. He really hated that guy. I think Ray worked for Northwest Orient Airlines at the time, which paid the ransom money to Cooper.
