Portage, PA - McCabe - Raymond Gerald "Ray," 90, of Martindale (Portage Township), Pa., went to heaven in the loving embrace of Jesus on November 1, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Martindale. Ray was born on December 1, 1934, in Martindale to William and Victoria (Discavage) McCabe. Ray is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Lou (Inman); daughter, Debra Lou Douglas; grandson, Scott David McCabe; siblings, William, Florence Dolores "Dee" Stombaugh, Donald "Duck," Alvin "Mush," Bernard "Tuffy," Joyce Baxter, and Thomas "Tom"; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mae and George Haschak, Ella and Donald Johnston, G. Robert and Maryann Bland, Clifford "Butch" Inman, Mary Lou Nolan. He is survived by his children, daughter, Gail Tarachko and friend, Joseph Previty; daughter, Vicky McCabe; and son, Dean Raymond McCabe and friend, Judy Garbacz; grandchildren, Jeremiah, Jacob, Leah Rae (Karl Kreutzberger), Sheena, Jessica Rae, Duncan, Austin, and Hannah; great-grandchildren, Marcus, Lucas, Miah, Dawson, Asher, Taylor Ray, Beau, and Ava; twin sisters, Bonnie Rakar (John "Jack" Rakar) and Connie McCabe; brother and sisters-in-law, Gerald "Sonny" Stombaugh, Walter "Wally" Baxter, Jr., Shirley McCabe, Kumiko McCabe, and Janet Inman; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Growing up in Martindale, Ray always had his siblings and friends to pal around with. After his chores were finished at home, he got together with the Martindale gang and spent countless hours at the swimming dam, ballfield, the Shack, Bill Blodnick's place, Lang's Farm, and the Tarzan Grapevine to name a few. At age 14, he began his first job working at Discavage's Mobile Station. At age 16, he began working part-time at the Martindale Lumber Company. He was a proud 1953 graduate of Portage Joint High School. In 1954, at age 21, Ray met the love of his life, 20-year-old Betty Lou Inman. On May 5, 1956, they were married at Betty's church First Lutheran on Caldwell Avenue in Portage. When he wasn't working at the sawmill, Ray could always be found at Betty's side. Whether Ray was singing to her, paying her JCPenney bill, or caring for her, the only thing that mattered to him was that he was with Betty, spending precious time together. A few days before Ray passed away, he was looking at a picture of Betty, pointed to it and said, "Now there's beauty!" Their love story is one that could be considered to many as unmatched. It truly is a story to be told! We find peace in knowing they are now dancing together in heaven. In 1956, he attended the Hardwood Lumber Association Grading School in Memphis, Tennessee. On January 1, 1970, at the age of 36, he became co-owner of the Martindale Lumber Company along with his brother, Don McCabe and family friend, Charles "Yuck" Jubina. In addition to being co-owner and operator of the sawmill, Ray worked as a laborer, inspector, sawyer, machine and kiln operator. He also had the privilege of working with his son Dean until the sawmill closed. He referenced the relationship between owners and employees as "exceptional" in his book, The Martindale Lumber Company. In 2012, due to the decline in the market and the price of lumber dropping, it was not profitable to continue the operation of the sawmill. In Ray's The Martindale Lumber Company book he wrote, "It was October 20, 2012. As the auction of the sawmill progressed, it broke my heart. It was like losing an old friend." After the sawmill closed, Ray continued to care for others, but he also knew he needed to take an interest in something else meaningful to consume his time. In 2013, he began researching his family ancestry and writing books with the help of his uncle Buck, sister Bonnie, and daughter Vicky. He continued working on family ancestry and book writing until 2020 when his health began to decline. The books he wrote included Ray and Betty, Martindale Boys, Martindale Lumber Company, and Martindale Christian Missionary and Alliance Church. Above all, Ray felt most helpful when he was caring for others. His love stemmed so deeply for those he cared for and loved that he wrote and sang the song "Gem of Gold" for Betty and "Jessie's Song" for his granddaughter Jessica. In the evening, at peace time, lunch, and weekends, he could be found at his home in Martindale humming and singing these songs and church hymns to Betty except when "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy," the news, or Pittsburgh sports were on the television. Ray will be remembered for his humble, loving, and kind nature. He always thought of everyone else before he ever thought of himself. His niece, Diane (McCabe) Kovach, referred to him as "a rock in the storm and a teddy bear at the same time." Ray's legacy will live on in any selfless act of love and kindness performed in the name of Jesus. Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Matthew R. Decort Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. in Portage and from 10 a.m. until time of 11 a.m. Service Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Martindale Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Pastor Timothy Dietrich, officiant. Committal in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Blue Knob. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to P.A.Y.A. PO Box 234, Portage, PA 15946 or the Martindale Christian and Missionary Alliance Building Fund, 179 Alliance Avenue, Portage, PA 15946.