Ray Andrew Gasperson
September 28, 1936 ~ October 25, 2018
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Ray Andrew Gasperson, 82, of Skyland, passed away on Thursday, October 25, 2018.
Born in Buncombe County, he was the husband of the late Linda (Parham) Gasperson, who passed away April 2, 2017, and the youngest son of the late Briscoe and Annie (Raines) Gasperson. He was also preceded in death by 2 brothers and 6 sisters.
Ray was a talented craftsman in the furniture industry, working at Sara Scott Furniture until its closing; then retiring from Steelcase. He also enjoyed raising cattle.
He attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Skyland.
Survivors include his stepson, Timothy Gallion (Christi); a grandson, Jacob Gallion; a special, devoted nephew, Gerald Mathis (Janet); his niece, Claudia Henderson, who was at his bedside as he made the transition to his Heavenly Home; and 13 additional nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Skyland, with the Rev. Jonathan Howell Rogers officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Special thanks from the family for the care demonstrated during his sickness by his helpful neighbors, Karen Hite and Ben Medford and his church family.
We are so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. We just loved him, and will certainly miss his sweet smile. Our deepest condolences to your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was so sorry to hear of Uncle Ray’s passing and yet I rejoice in knowing that He is with the Lord. I hold many sweet remembrances of Uncle Ray…his kindness, his smile, his quiet strength, his hard work and commitment to family are just a few. He always had a kind word any time I saw him. May the Lord minister to each one during this difficult time of loss. There is comfort in the name of Jesus. There is hope in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. That power has raised Uncle Ray from his deathbed into the very presence of the Lord. I am so sorry I am not able to be with you all today. My love and prayers are yours. Cheryl Ballard DeSantis and family.
I was so sorry to hear of Rays passing. I will always cherish seeing Ray the last time I did he always had a big smile on his face . I also admire how he took care of Linda and her every need he was a great husband to her . The Lord gained a wonderful man . My deepest sympathy to all his family may God comfort all your hearts .
Ray was Ray to most but to Tim, Jacob and I, he was ‘Paw’. That name was given to him by Jacob when he was first able to talk and it never changed. He was a wonderful grandfather, never speaking an ill word, always understanding and ready to play with ‘Jacob Boy’. Toy cars, basketball or Thomas the train. He taught about everything from cows to hunting. I will forever be grateful for all the things he did for Jacob and the many hours he spent just being ‘Paw’. That love and his presence will be truly missed. Children grow up and family becomes distant but the love stays the same. If there is one thing I can say about ‘Paw’, that cannot be denied, is that he is the epitamy of what a husband should be. Linda never wanted for anything. He praised her for every meal she cooked to every jar she canned. The praise and willingness to please was unselfishly endless. He spent the final years of his life and Linda’s, providing a level of care for her that cannot be matched by a professional nor taught from a book. It was truly love, dedication and loyalty. For these and so many more reasons, his passing is the loss of an honorable man and a true loss to family and friends for whom he held so dear.