Ray Paul Koehn, Sr.

Ray Paul Koehn, Sr., suddenly passed away from this earth on May 27, 2011 as a result of a traffic accident.

Ray was born on June 4, 1934 in Nashville, TN. During his early years in the middle of the Great Depression, Ray's family moved often between Tennessee, Virginia, and Louisiana for work-related reasons. He attended Columbia Military Academy and graduated from Peabody High School. During high school, Ray developed a love for flight. He hung around local airports and managed to receive flight training when time and money allowed. After graduating from high school, he ramped up his efforts to gain flight time while laying brick and block for his father's masonry construction company, Koehn Masonry Construction Company.

While in Nashville, Tennessee, once his logbook began to fill up, he obtained a commercial flight license and went to work for a small in-state airline company. During this time, he met, fell in love, and married his life-long companion, Dorothy Key on October 7, in 1955.
As the commercial airlines business grew, Ray applied for and received a position as co-pilot for Southern Airways. After advancing to the position of captain, Ray remained employed as Southern Airways merged with Republic Airlines which in turn was purchased by Northwest Airlines. He retired from Northwest Airlines at the age of 60 as a highly regarded pilot maintaining a stellar safety rating.

Ray and Dot are blessed with three loving children, Ray Paul Jr. born in 1958, followed by Scott in 1962, and Julie in 1967.

Ray is survived by his loving wife Dot, his devoted children Paul (& Kimberly) Koehn of Dahlonega, Scott Koehn of Dahlonega, and Julie & (Steve)Strozier of Anderson, South Carolina. Also survived by seven precious grandchildren, Hannah Koehn, Hunter, Christian, Anna, Jacob, Faith and Joshua Strozier. He is also survived by his older brother, Clarence and two older sisters, Gwen and Dorothy, his mother-in-law, Francis Taylor, his sister in law, Cheryl Graham, and his brother in law Charles Taylor all from Nashville as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ray was an active member of Dahlonega Baptist Church and a lover of animals, caring for horses, dogs, cats, and other animals on his farm in Dahlonega.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations may be given to Harvest International Ministry for the family at www.HIMinistry.weebly.com.

A graveside funeral service for Ray is scheduled for 10:30 Am Thursday June 2, 2011 at Dahlonega Memorial Park Cemetery.

Rev. Bill Hutcheson will officiate.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of the arrangements.