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RAY M. JACKSON, JR. Age 70, of Scott Twp., passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Ray was the beloved husband and soul mate of Nancy (Oehm) Jackson for over 24 years; son of the late Dorothy (Waters) and Ray M. Jackson, Sr.; loving father of Justin (Kelly) Short, Shawn (Tara) Spader, and the late A.J. Spader; devoted and adoring Pap of Juliann, Helen, Aidan, Maggie, Lilli, Piper and Addie; brother of Dorothy (Jim) Gazdik and Sue Epstein; loving family of Pam Missonak, Kim and Ed Ogden, and Sarah and Kirk Molstad; also survived by nieces and nephews; and his fur-baby, Sammy Jo. The family would like to especially thank all of the staff at Meadowcrest Healthcare for their loving care of Ray. Ray was a lifetime member of the Bower Hill Fire Department, where he served as lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and chief. He D.J.-ed on the side for events like oldies dances and New Year's Eve at Bower Hill FD. Ray was a licensed pilot and volunteer for the Volunteer Pilots Association, where he would transport organs for organ donation. He was in the first class of paramedics in Pittsburgh, and was one of the first paid paramedics with Tri-Community. A graduate of Youngstown University in 1974 with a business degree, Ray went on to work for Tom Jayson where he was the National Manager of VIP 2001 Club. He started his own company in 1981, Eastern Continental Sales, which installed professional sound and special effects lighting for many nightclubs, restaurants and churches in Pittsburgh, as well as businesses like Pac-Sun, Hollister Co., Disney Stores, and PPG Place. All of Ray's sons worked for him at one time. Ray and Nancy were heavily involved with their sons' Chartiers Valley hockey teams, for which they developed a CV Hockey Player Scholarship Fund, which is still in place today. Additionally, Ray spearheaded the parent announcing of high school hockey games, by becoming the first parent to do so with CV Hockey. Ray was a talented BBQ master---he owned a BBQ restaurant in Morgantown, WV, participated many years in the South Park Rib Cook-Off, hosted huge neighborhood BBQ gatherings, and appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly for winning their BBQ Competition. Ray was truly a renaissance man---a business entrepreneur, a community volunteer, a BBQ master and a devoted family man. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Arrangements by BEINHAUER-FRYER FUNERAL HOME, 430 Washington Ave., Bridgeville (412-221-3800). With the current state of the world, Ray's funeral services will be private, with a Celebration of Life Service, complete with BBQ, to be scheduled when possible. Those who wish to support Ray's family during their private funeral services may visit www.beinhauer.com and Light a Candle, at no cost, anyone may submit a heartfelt message to the family. The messages will then each be placed on an individual candle and lit to surround the family during Ray's private service. Please submit messages by Tuesday, April 7 at 12 p.m. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
