Obituary of Raymond Eugene Best

 

Raymond Eugene Best was born March 25, 1927 in Canton, Ohio and passed away Oct. 5, 2021 in Tucson, AZ.  He was a true gentleman, a pleasant, distinguished man with many friends. 

He graduated from Lincoln High School in Canton, Ohio, served his country in the  Armoured Division of the U.S. Army in WWII, then furthered his education at The Ohio State University with a BS Business Administration degree in 1951.  Raymond made a long & successful career as a Managing Partner with Ernst & Young since 1970.  Working in the Tulsa, OK office, his audit work led him to meeting his wife, Mary Jane Ericksten.  They married Nov. 19, 1960.  He served as Managing Director of the Puerto Rico office until 1980 & then as a Partner in the New Orleans office until his retirement in 1987. 

Ray & Mary Jane retired to Tucson, AZ in 1987.  There they continued to make new friends, becoming season subscribers to the Tucson Symphony, & active members of the Tucson Country Club.  They often traveled back to Columbus, Ohio for Ohio State football games.  With Mary Jane’s illness, Ray became a loving caregiver & an excellent chef.  Mary Jane passed away on Nov. 1, 2004.  Ray was an interested & supportive uncle to his nieces & nephews & his advice & encouragement will be greatly missed.

Mr. Best is pre-deceased by his parents, Florence Mae (Long) Best & Carl Herman Best; his wife Mary Jane; 2 brothers Vernon A. Best & Dwight N. Best &his wife Marilyn; a nephew David C. Best & his wife Shari.

He leaves behind his Sister-in-law Dorothy Jane Best, nieces, great nieces & nephews, & great great nieces & nephews. 

Tucson arrangements are being handled by Adair Funeral Home, Dodge Chapel.  Raymond’s wishes were to have a graveside Catholic service at the Pawhuska City Cemetery in Oklahoma to rest beside Mary Jane.  Pawhuska Oklahoma arrangements are being coordinated by Kendrick,McCartney & Johnson Funeral Home.  The graveside service will be October 27 at 11:00AM. 

The family wishes to publicly thank Dr. Steven Wool & his staff, the Starfish Adult Care Home, TMC Hospice, his many loyal Tucson friends, & Ernst & Young colleagues throughout the country.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, you may consider donating to one of the charities Raymond supported for many years to honor Mary Jane’s heritage or the Arthritis Foundation:  St. Joseph Indian School, P. O. Box 326, Chamberlain, S.D. 57326, or St.Sabre Indian School, Ashland, Mt.  59004, or the Arthritis Foundation 122 E. 42^nd St.,  

New York, New York 10168.