Raymond "Ray" W. Fiedler

Raymond (Ray) Walter Fiedler of Arcadia, FL passed away on 22 Nov., 22 of natural causes. Ray was born on 17 July, 46 in Bayshore, NY. He was born the 7th child and 7th son of a total of nine children to George Fiedler and Jennie (Juliano) Fiedler. After Ray graduated from high school in Long Island New York, he served honorably in the Army including a one-year deployment to Vietnam.

In 1967, he met Roni Vanek and fell in love. Ray & Roni were married in 1970 and went on to have two children, Tina & Matthew. Ray loved and provided for his family but struggled with purpose until he found and accepted Jesus into his heart in 1977.

Ray was a very talented man who loved working with his hands. He held many jobs and owned several businesses until the Lord called him to be a financial planner in 1982. He started Reliable Financial Services in 1992. He worked tirelessly for his clients and was available to them for counseling until the day of his passing. He took pride in doing what was right for his clients regardless of what was best for him financially.

After becoming a Christian, he felt God tugging on his heart to witness to everyone he met. He dutifully followed that calling and it became his passion. Ray was unashamed of Jesus and he quite literally became a walking billboard for him as he would always be wearing a Christian T-shirt with tracks and scripture pens in his pockets at the ready to witness to anyone willing to receive the message.

Ray’s passion for Jesus led him to be involved in many different Christian organizations and outreaches. He followed God’s calling to organize and lead many Christian outreach movements to include the March for Jesus, Vision 20/20, prolife demonstrations, mission’s trips, visitation teams, and the bread ministry. He taught Christian survival classes and sponsored Bridget Gabriel of the Act of America to speak to community members. He was also very active in supporting Gideons International, American Family Association, and Focus on the Family.

Ray was predeceased by his mother and father, George & Jennie, his brothers Franklin, Charlie, George, Billy, & Richey.

He is survived by his wife Roni, his children Tina & Matt, his grandchildren Joshua, Faith, Kalei, Sierra, Madison, & Sean, his brother Bobby, and his sisters Nancy & Karen.

A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church of Fort Ogden on 17 Dec at 11am. To honor Ray, the family asks you to attend wearing your favorite Christian T-shirt if possible. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to The Gideons International, an organization Ray felt strongly about.