Ray Dayton Dove Jr., 70, of Petersburg, passed away at his home surrounded by family on June 8, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born November 4, 1951, in Grant County, the son of the late Ray and Regina (Turner) Dove. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, Dick Alden Dove. He is survived by his sisters: Teresa (Teri) McLaughlin and husband, Bob, of Daniels, West Virginia; Mitzi Groves and her husband, Jim, of LaVale, Maryland; and Gina Hart and husband, Steve, of Ashland, Virginia. He also is survived by his uncle, Alton Dove, of Riverton; nieces, Melissa Curtis of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Tara Curtis of Morgantown; three nephews: Brian Groves and wife, Joyce, of Cumberland; Turner and Kellen Hart of Ashland, Virginia; a great niece, Julia Raye Groves; and many cousins.
Dayton graduated from Petersburg High School in 1969 and attended Shepherd College. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He built a successful business, Dove’s Fur, Ginseng, Medicinal and Botanicals, where he was a certified ginseng specialist. He was an expert in West Virginia’s harvestable and marketable flora and fauna and conducted business all over the world. He loved hitting the road, meeting new people and sharing his knowledge of plants, fauna and wildlife.
A lifelong resident of Petersburg, he was a member of the West Virginia Trappers Association and supported WVU Extension’s Energy Express summer reading and nutrition program for local youth.
Family will receive visitors on Sunday, June 12, 2022 from 2 – 6 PM at the Landes Ruritan Club, 5337 Franklin Pike, Petersburg, WV. Interment will be private in North Fork Memorial Cemetery Riverton, WV.
The family would like to thank Grant Memorial Hospice, his dear friend, Joyce Hayes, and family members, Lisa and Steve Turner, for their care and comfort during this difficult journey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or West Virginia Trappers Association.
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