Obituary for Raymond Harbin Raymond L “Ray” Harbin, 81, passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Insignia of Newnan from pneumonia. In Amedysis Hospice since early spring of this year, Ray died peacefully in the presence of his family.
Ray is survived by Beth Thomae Harbin, of Carrollton, Ga. , his wife of 38 years. He is also survived by former wife Dolly Dobson Harbin of Jasper, Ga.
, and his children; Daniel Harbin of Columbus, Ga. ; Steven Harbin and his wife Mary of Fayetteville, Ga. ; Darla Harbin Harper and her husband James Harper of Newnan, Ga.
, Holly E. Harbin of Carrollton, Ga. ; and Mikhail Utkin of Vinings, Ga. His beloved grandchildren are Melissa Harbin McClendon, Christopher Harbin; Erin Harbin Barr, Stephanie Harbin Gentry, Tyler Harbin; Jared May, Jordan May, Kaden Utkin, and Julianna Utkin.
Ray also leaves behind 10 great-grandchildren. Born in Columbus, Ga. , on Sept.
21, 1937, to the late Leonard H. Harbin and the late Estelle Hathaway Harbin, Ray had two brothers and one sister. William H. Harbin and Jimmy L. Harbin both predeceased Ray. His sister, Ann Harbin Taylor, lives in Cataula, Ga.
Ray spent his youth in his hometown of Columbus. He married Dolly J. Dobson Harbin of Macon, Ga. , in 1956.
They were married 23 years. During that time, he served in the Army Reserves. Ray attended Immanuel Baptist College, graduated and was ordained.
He also entered the hardwood lumber business, where he was a respected businessman, culminating in owning and directing his own company, Harbin Hardwoods. A life-long devout Baptist, Ray was known for his generosity, giving support to churches and individuals both in the United States and abroad. Always a conservative, he participated in local and national politics, promoted conservation, and made a well-received documentary, “Wise Use: Lessons from the Past, Challenge for the Future”, shown on GPS several times, which he wrote, narrated, filmed, and produced in 1991.
Having an insatiable hunger for knowledge, Ray explored diverse subjects, going so far as to teach himself Latin and Ancient Greek in order to read the Bible in its earliest forms. But by far, his most enduring study was that of the eastern hardwood forest, examining everything from the underlying geology to climatic effects. Additionally, Ray turned his gaze from the canopy above to the botanical realm at his feet, and shared his knowledge eagerly, especially with the youngsters of the coming generation.
He also studied the weather, becoming the man friends turned to for forecasts and explanations of fronts, prevailing winds, geographical impacts, etc. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 11:00 at 6300 Cochran Mill Road, Palmetto, Ga. 30268.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Alzheimer’s Association. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Raymond Harbin please visit our Sympathy Store.
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