Marlow Courtad Obituary

Marlow Ray "Poppy" Courtad

Marlow Ray "Poppy" Courtad, 99, of Forest, died Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Serenity Spring Senior Living at Arlington.

He was born July 17, 1925, in Wyandot County, to Floyd R. and Mary Jane (Vroman) Courtad. Ray is reunited with the love of his life. He would have been married 75 years to Evelyn Patrick as they were married Aug. 6, 1949. She preceded him in death June 4, 2023.

He is survived by his sons, Ray E. Courtad and Donald (Joanna) Courtad, both of Forest; grandsons, Nathan (Michelle) Courtad and Forest Neal (Jen) Courtad of Findlay; and great-grandchildren, Derek and Paige, Forest, Tristen, and Leighton, and Kaisten and Kyzic, all of Findlay.

Ray was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Alice Walton Stoneburner; brother, Marvin A. Courtad; and sister, Joan (V.L.) Reinschell.

He was member of the former Eureka United Methodist Church, Forest. Ray served in U.S. Army with the 1133RD Engineer Combat Division in World War II in England, France, Germany, and the Philippines where they were scheduled for the invasion of Japan when Victory Over Japan (VJ Day) occurred. He retired from ODOT after 30 years of service and farmed with his son, Ray E.

Ray's main hobby and love was antique Reo and Ford vehicles. He was a member and former director of Reo Club of America and attended many of the national meets. He did not life to fly, but that did not stop him from flying to Reno for the annual car show and visits to their auto museums. He was a life member of McVitty VFW Post #1182, Forest. He participated in the Forest Tree Town parades with his 1936 Reo and 1930 Ford. However much he loved antique vehicles he loved his home and family and never wanted to be away more than a week.

Ray's funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at Clark Shields Funeral Home with Pastor Christopher Thacker officiating. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Hueston Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Hardin County Memorial Squad.

Memorial donations can be made to Blue Star Mothers Chapter #32, P.O. Box 456, Kenton, Ohio, 43326.

To send a condolence or share a memory, visit www.shieldsfh.com.