Ray Lee “R L” Lute II
Ray Lee “R L” Lute II, 66 of Lucasville, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2025 at Southern Ohio Medical Center. He was born on November 2, 1958 in Portsmouth to the late Ray Lee Lute and Margaret O’Dell Lute. On May 18, 1979 he was united in marriage to Sheila Matthews Lute of Lucasville. Surviving are his son; Jared (Amy) Lute of Lucasville; grandchildren that were his whole world, Reece Lute, Carter Lute and Jaxon Lute all of Lucasville; sisters, Lesa Natoli of Waverly and Kimberly (Scott Whitinger) Lute of McDermott; brother, Gregory (Carol) Lute of Otway; father and mother in law, Arnold (Janet) Matthews of Lucasville; brother in law, Albert Messer of McDermott, sister in law; Suzy (Sam) Park of Lucasville; nieces and nephews, Katie Sowards, David Hummel, Stephanie Conley, Amy Messer, Alan Messer, T.C. Jones, Lilly Crabtree and Grayson Crabtree; very special nephews, Dacion (Brandy) Crabtree and Jacob Lute; many uncles, aunts and cousins and his beloved dog, Shawnee. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his sister; Patricia Messer; nieces, Emma Lute and Rachel Lute and grandparents, Francis (Emma) Lute and Eugene (Molly) O’Dell.
Ray was a member of the Ohio Forestry Association and the Southern Ohio Loggers Chapter, where he served multiple times as the President and Vice President. He was a two-time winner of the Logger of the Year for the State of Ohio and was a longtime advocate for the proper harvesting and care of nature. He was an avid cattle farmer and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Botkin Hornback Funeral Home in Otway with Pastor Tom Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Scioto Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers monetary donations may be made to Northwest Football, (in memory of RL Lute in the memo line) 800 Mohawk Drive, McDermott, Ohio 45652.
www.botkinhornbackfuneralhomes.com
