Raymond B. Lutz

Raymond Bruce Lutz, 87, passed away on November 14, 2022. Ray was born November 12, 1935 in Louisville, Kentucky, the only child of Clarence Lutz and Angela (Snyder) Lutz. 

After graduating from Male High School in Louisville, Ray became the first in his family to earn a college degree, studying Business Administration at Bellarmine University. He married Nancy Woodsmall, and they had three sons: Greg, Mark, and Chris. He moved to Indianapolis and Atlanta before ultimately settling in Fairfield, OH. He was a longtime salesman for Diamond Crystal Salt and the Swenson Spreader company before retiring.

Ray married the love of his life, Joanne Heimann, in 1992. She brought out his adventurous side, and they often traveled around the U.S., Mexico, and Europe.

Ray was a proud and devoted father and grandfather. One of his most treasured accomplishments was coaching his son Chris’ championship little league team, the LL Progressive Plumbing Mariners. He and Joanne enjoyed hosting family at their wooded land on Kirchling Road in Ross, cooking his famous Italian Spaghetti, building bonfires, or dreaming up adventures for the grandkids. 

Ray was a true character with a unique outlook on life. He had a million-dollar smile. Ray was endlessly curious about the world. Innovations from airplanes to smartphones filled him with wonder. An early adopter of Netflix, he and Joanne watched movies every night. He sent frequent emails to his sons and grandchildren in his unique shorthand, which they delighted in deciphering. 

Ray loved to build, cultivate, and grow. Learning to build from his carpenter father, he found passion in constructing things with and for his loved ones. One of his great joys was building his cabin and shelter in his woods.  He always kept a tomato garden, and he shared the fruits of his labor with his family. He worked hard to provide a better life for his sons, teaching them to do the same for their children.

Ray is survived by his wife of 30 years Joanne; son Greg (Laura), his sons Gregory and Brandon (Katy-Whitten), and his great-grandsons Zooey and Amzi; son Mark (Betsy), his sons Andrew and Matthew, and his step-daughters Morgan (Jeff) and her children Camden, Ember, and Ada and Meredith and her son Wyatt; son Chris (Leigh) and his children Ashley and Christopher; sister-in-law Jeanne; stepson Matthew (Lori); stepdaughter Karen (Ted) and her daughters Andrea and Alyssa.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents and aunt Coletta (Snyder) Mayhugh.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Hospice of Cincinnati to honor Ray’s memory.

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