Harold Ray Apple

Harold Ray Apple, age 85, passed away on January 3, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.  He was born on February 5, 1938 to Otis Apple and Zora Apple. He was predeceased by his brothers Gene Apple and Glenn Apple. Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann (King) Apple, children Bill Apple and Beth Smith (Byron), and grandchildren Colin, Andrew, and Abby.  

Ray’s faith in God, which began at 9 years old, shaped his character and became foundational to everything in his life. Ray and Ann always prioritized raising their family to have a close relationship with Jesus.  He was a loving husband and a proud and committed father and grandfather.

After graduating from Hughes High School in Cincinnati, Ray attended Ohio State University as a two-sport athlete, an All-American baseball player and a proud member of the distinguished 1960-1961 basketball team.  He later played baseball with the NY Mets organization from 1961-1964. After pro baseball, Ray proceeded to own a sporting goods store and then into real estate, eventually owning his own real estate brokerage company.   However, Ray’s true passion and focus were always coaching youth sports and sharing his values and his love for Jesus with those he coached.  His love for youth materialized in the late 1960’s as he began conducting annual summer baseball camps with his dear friend and Mets teammate Craig Anderson while also coaching high school baseball and YMCA league boys basketball.  Ray coached his last team and then hung up his whistle and clipboard at the spry age of 80.

Ray will be remembered for his faith in Jesus, unconditional love for his family, genuine love for people and his desire to befriend everyone with his gregarious personality.  He was kind, compassionate, and full of joy, always focusing on the positive with a true servant’s heart for every person he touched.

The funeral service will be held at the Hodapp Funeral Home, 8815 Cincinnati Columbus Road, West Chester, OH 45069. Visitation is Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 10 am to 12 noon, with the funeral service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Dayton Urban Young Life at www.DUYL.org, clicking on Give, in honor of Ray Apple. Ray will be dearly missed by his family and friends.