Obituary of Ray Musto Kesler

Ray M. Kesler, 98, of Morgantown, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at his home in Suncrest where he resided for more than 60 years. Ray was born in Clover Lick, WV on August 10, 1926, the son of the late Robert Lee and Elizabeth McQuain Kesler. Ray was attending Marlington High School during WWII when he was drafted into military service during his senior year. Following his service with the US Army in Japan, he went on to attend Potomac State College and then transferred to WVU to earn is BS in agriculture and a Masters in agricultural education. During his time in the military Ray was in the 11th airborne division, spent 3 years in the active army reserve and retired after 31 years in the West Virginia National Guard, 201st Field Artillery. During this time he achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major, Army National Guard for the state of West Virginia. Ray started his career as a Vo-Ag teacher in Upshur and Monongalia Counties. He went on to be the Director of Vocational, Adult, and Community Schools programs for Monongalia County Schools. He served as both interim superintendent of Monongalia County Schools and Assistant Superintendent for Administration, Support Services, and Vocational-Adult Education. Following retirement from the school system he spent 17 years volunteering for the American Red Cross as a Mass Care Officer traveling to disaster scenes across the country. For this volunteer work Ray was awarded the Jefferson National Award in Washington, DC. During his life Ray was affiliated with many local organizations. He was a past president of the Morgantown Lions Club, Morgantown American Red Cross board of directors, Veterans Task Force, Monongalia County EMS Committee, Board member of the North Central Association of Accreditation of Secondary Schools and Colleges, and many other organizations. In 2019 he proudly wrote and published an autobiographical book entitled Clover Lick. Ray was a founding member and trustee of St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church. Ray is survived by two daughters, Georgette Ward and her husband Phillip, and Jennifer Cain; two sons, Robert R Kesler, and Shawn M Kesler and his wife Maribeth; grandchildren include, Amy Gainey-Taylor, Zachary Cain, Brian Schane, and Tony Schane; great-grandchildren, Cory J. Gainey and James C. Gainey. In addition to his parents Ray is preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Hazel Sallows Kesler, who passed away in 2017; grandson Lee Andrew Kesler; brothers, Earl Kesler; Ligon Kesler; Alfred Kesler; and an infant brother; and sisters, Elizabeth Kershner and Nellie Issacs. Friends and family will be received on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church, 75 Old Cheat Rd., Morgantown from 11:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 pm with Rev. Michael Delk officiating. The service will be live streamed from the church website at https://www.stthomasabecket.org. Following the funeral services, cremation services will be provided by Hastings Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com