Raymond Lee McCune, age 72, of Kimbolton, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at his home. He was born on March 24, 1953 in Casablanca, French Morocco, North Africa, the son of the late Dale A. McCune and Barbara R. (Rankin) McCune.
Ray graduated in 1971 from Springfield High School in Akron alongside the love of his life, Chris. He became a journeyman machinist after completing the Goodyear Apprentice program. He served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard as a helicopter mechanic and pilot. He was a substitute teacher for Akron high schools. Ray retired from the Akron Fire Department after 25 years of service, having worked as a firefighter, an EMT and paramedic, and as part of the Rope and Rescue Team, the Scuba Rescue Team, the Hazmat Team and in the Training department. Ray, Chris, and his sister Dani were instrumental in the mass production of the Fallen Man Harness—a life-saving harness for firefighters—through their work with Ladder 9 Concepts. Ray was a member of Summit County Emergency Management, MENSA, and the Dover Steam Show. He was a faithful attender of Cambridge Bible Church. He also enjoyed playing Santa Claus, and being a welder, mechanic, and machinist (including in his own shop, Rusty Machine). During his time at the fire department, Ray created a table-top training game for first responders to a hazmat incident (Hot Zone), firefighting in a multi-occupancy building (On the Tip), and responding to a mass casualty incident (Triage), which were well received by firefighters across the country. Ray knew at least a little bit about how everything worked, was an avid collector of many things, was a determined but okay-ish piano student, and would offer a helping hand to anyone.
Ray is survived by his best friend and wife of 53 years, Christine (Johnson) McCune; their children Russell (Brenda) McCune of Cambridge, Jennifer (Matthew) Edwards of Columbus, Megan McCune (Elizabeth Hathaway) of Chicago, IL; siblings Denise (Curtis) Keith of Akron, Roy (Christine) McCune of Akron, and Danielle (P.C. dec.) Charley of Akron; grandchildren Ryan McCune, Mary and Michael Cannon, Alexander and Liliana Edwards, and Madison, Karina, and Abigail Hathaway; great-grandchildren La'Neitrah and Malaysia; great-great-grandson Aiden; nieces Melissa Thrall, Jennifer (Dane) Brillhart, and Melanie (Grant) Bushby; nephew Roy Keith; great-nieces Courtney and Charli; and great-great-nieces and nephews Eli, Echo, Eniya, and Esaiah. He was also beloved by many extended family members and an expansive network of friends and neighbors.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Bundy-Law Funeral Home, 120 N. 11th St, Cambridge, OH, 43725, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Pastor Dave Saxton will officiate the service at 1:00pm, with the Firefighter's Last Alarm following. A memorial dinner will be held afterwards at Cambridge Bible Church, 125 Meadow Park Drive, Cambridge, Ohio 43725. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cambridge Bible Church. Ray's online guest book may be viewed and signed at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com .