George "Ray" Mckinniss

George “Ray” McKinniss, 61, of Rio Grande, passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. Ray was born May 25, 1954 in Athens, Ohio, son of the late George Bernard McKinniss and Barbara Lee McHenry McKinniss, who survives him. He married Teri Hilyard on December 19, 1976 in Wellston, Ohio and she survives also. Ray was a graduate of Wellston High School and Rio Grande College. An Eagle Scout, a chair and volunteer leader on many boards and committees, he lived his life in service of his community and modeled life for everyone around him. As the past Gallia County Chamber of Commerce president, the 2014 Bud and Donna McGhee Award recipient, an organizer of Ohio Chautauqua, a member of the Emancipation Celebration Committee and many other organizations too numerous to mention, Ray displayed this commitment until his final days. Employed by Bob Evans Farms, Inc., he held many different positions over the years, but lastly and most proudly, as the Manager of the Bob Evans Farm. Ray was first and foremost a family man. The sun rose and set for Ray with his three sons, their wives and most of all his four precious “grandbabies”. Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Teri McKinniss of Rio Grande; three sons and daughters-in-law, Heath and Melissa McKinniss of Jackson, Justin and Brieanne McKinniss of Columbus, Travis and Kaley McKinniss of Jackson; four grandchildren, Garrett, Carsen, Audrey and Hadley; his mother, Barbara McKinniss of Wellston; two brothers, Terry (Faith) McKinniss of Gallipolis and Chris (Rachel) McKinniss of Mansfield; sister-in-law, Judy Cunningham of Lancaster; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ray was preceded in death by his father, George Bernard McKinniss, grandparents, George Raymond and Bertha McKinniss, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Burton and Edith Hilyard. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Hope United Methodist Church, 219 E. 1st St., Wellston, Ohio with Pastor Larry Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgewood Cemetery. Friends may call at The Bob Evans Farm Event Barn from 12 noon till 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please help the family support a cause that Ray was passionate about - Pelotonia/The James Cancer Hospital at OSU Medical Center. Visit http://www.supportohiostate.org/goto/ray.