Cecil R. Lynch

Cecil Ray Lynch, 54, of Elkins, formerly of Webster Springs, Braxton County and Oak Hill, died suddenly at his residence July 10, 2008.

He was born June 11, 1954, at Sutton, a son of the late Clarence and Helen O'Dell Lynch.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two nephews, "Dano" and "Jay" Lynch.

Ray began at 16 driving ambulance for Webster Ambulance Service, later becoming an EMT and paramedic. Ray, in his career as a paramedic, worked at Braxton County Memorial Hospital and Ambulance Service, Kanawha County Ambulance Authority, Quinwood Ambulance Service, Jan Care and Health Net. Ray was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Webster Springs. Ray was a former member of Webster Springs Fire Department.

Surviving are his sons, Nathaniel Lynch of Heaters, Jeffrey Kessler of South Charleston and Anthony Carson of Charleston; daughter, Courtney Moore of Jacksonville, N.C.; sister, Ruth Ann Hamrick of Webster Springs; brothers, Danny, Dana and Frank Lynch of Webster Springs, Jack Lynch of Summersville and Ricky Lynch of Elkins; and two nieces and three nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home in Webster Springs with the Rev. Nelson Harris conducting a celebration of Ray's life at 7 p.m. Ray's wish was to be cremated and his cremains placed at his camp in his native Webster County near Hacker Valley.