A great loss to our group

[JLoew]

I am sorry to report that our dear friend, Ray Shotwell, has passed away this morning. Ray was a great gun collector, and I considered him a dear friend. We traveled extensively together and he was always teaching me about everything from Lefever and Parker shotguns and shooting to basket weaving and car restoration. It is a great loss to our PGCA community to see the passing of such a fine man. He will be missed.

Our prayers are with his two daughters and three grandchildren at this time.

[Opening Day]

Prayers to his family. I am so sorry to here this.

[Bill Murphy]

I'm so glad we got to visit with Ray at the Vintagers. Very sorry to hear about this. Thanks, Josh.

[Autumn Daze]

Even though I never met Ray in person I heard many fine things about him.I am so very sorry to hear this. Thanks for letting us know Josh.

[Bruce Day]

Talked to Ray in Sept and I am sorry to hear of his death. We were the same age and I knew he was in trouble. My condolences.

We'll have a toast in his honor next weekend at the close of season hunt. See you soon.

[Charlie Price]

I knew Ray was in trouble but saddened to learn of his passing. I really enjoyed knowing him and especially visiting with him at the Vintagers and picking his Stelling banjo.
Charlie Price

[Dean Romig]

Sad to learn of Ray's passing. Thanks Josh for informing us.

Dean

[Old and Reliable]

Josh it sounds like your friend Ray was a multi-faceted gentleman- cars, basket weaving, banjo (I am guessing a 5 string- maybe like Earl Scruggs?) and both Parkers, LeFevers and other great guns no longer made. Gene Hill, alas now also gone, had a way of writing about his friends that had left that somehow made you wish you had known them, shared a day in a duck blind or behind pointing dogs on a quail hunt-- Ralf Coykendal comes to mind, among others- I think you may also have the late Mr. Hill's way with words, and I'll sip a dram tonight in your friend's memory- any man who likes Parkers is my kind of man--

[Angel Cruz Ortiz]

My condolences to the family and friends

[JLoew]

Here is a copy of the obituary in today's paper.


Ray Shotwell
MAY 29, 1946 ? JANUARY 22, 2010
ANDERSON, SC ? Robert Ray Shotwell, age 63, husband of the late Marilyn Stovall Shotwell, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2010, at his home.
Born in Stovall, NC, on May 29, 1946, he was a son of the late Jasper Holt Shotwell and Barbara Meissner Shotwell. While serving in the United States Army, he received the Presidential Service Award for his honorable service to the President at the White House. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University and retired as a Textile Engineer from BASF. Mr. Shotwell was an avid outdoorsman and had a love for the banjo and bluegrass music. He was a member of Boulevard Baptist Church.
Survivors include his children: Mary Beth Hillhouse and husband, Joe Hillhouse of Anderson, SC, and Sandra Leigh Shotwell and husband, Mike Bleiweiss of Saunderstown, RI; sister, Jinny Bussler and husband, John Bussler of Mt. Airy, GA; brothers: Holt Shotwell and wife, Evelyn Shotwell of Chincoteague, VA, and Jim Shotwell and wife, Sharon Shotwell of South Boston, VA; and three grandchildren: Alex Hillhouse, Katie Hillhouse, and Cole Shotwell.
Mr. Shotwell was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a sister, Linda Grace Shotwell.
The Funeral Service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Boulevard Baptist Church conducted by the Reverend Dr. Johnny F. McKinney and Mr. Dean Henderson. A Graveside Service will be held at 2pm on Monday, January 25, 2010, at Stovall Town Cemetery in Stovall, NC.
The family will receive friends from 7pm until 9pm on Saturday, January 23, 2010, at The McDougald Funeral Home.
The family wishes to acknowledge the staff of Interim Hospice, the nurses and caregivers, and all of the dear friends for the genuine care and concern shown to Mr. Shotwell.
Memorials may be made to Interim Hospice, 775 Spartan Boulevard, Spartanburg, SC 29301.