Ray Sloan, Jr. Obituary

Ray Sloan Jr., 78, of Fairmont, WV passed away on Monday, January 6th, 2025. He was born in Fairmont on September 15, 1946, to Ray Sr. and Louise (Hawkins) Sloan.

Ray was a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School (FSHS). While at FSHS, Ray flourished as a member of the Polar Bear baseball and football teams.

Following high school, he attended Fairmont State College (FSC). He was a dual sport athlete for the Falcons in baseball and football.

After leaving college, Ray was employed by Industrial Resources and Owens of Illinois of Fairmont. Afterwards, he got involved in the coal industry where he stayed for over 30 years with King Knob Coal, Patriot Mining and Anker Energy.

Ray was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed his time hunting, fishing and camping at Smoke Hole and Bergoo. He cherished spending time in the woods hunting rabbits, squirrels, turkey and deer. If Ray wasn’t hunting, he could be found on the South Branch of the Potomac or on the banks of the Elk River fishing for trout with his life-long friends and family. Trout fishing is one of the many activities that he exceled in. One friend was quoted saying that “Ray is one of the only people that could catch a fish in a pothole”. Ray also enjoyed the occasional beer (or two), while telling fictitious stories around the campfire. Besides hunting and fishing, Ray liked watching and coaching other sports, specifically baseball. He coached his two sons and spent years watching his grandkids play multiple sports. Ray was never afraid to be involved in a card game either. Whether it was at camp or at someone’s home, he loved sitting at the table trying to outsmart his opponent or ever performing a magic card trick.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Linda Sue (Cross) Sloan, his parents Ray Sr. and Louise Sloan, his sister Denise Jack, mother-in-law Dolly Cross, father-in-law Arthur Cross, brother-in-law Albert Cross and sister-in-law Marcia Cross. Ray is survived by two sons, Thomas Sloan and his wife Jennifer of Fairmont of Fairmont, and Michael Sloan and his wife Karla of Worthington; grandchildren, Courtney Morris and husband Aaron, Justin Sloan, Alyssa Sloan-Oliverio and her husband Nathan and Ethan Sloan; two great grandchildren Braxton and Avery Morris; sister Barbara Floyd and husband Larry, sister Sandra Echols and one brother-in-law Donald Jack. Ray was also blessed with many nieces/nephews and other cousins whom he cherished.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, on Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.