Gerald I. Rader

Gerald I. Rader, 92, of Findlay, Ohio, died peacefully on Tuesday, August 27, at Bay Bluffs Emmett County Medical Care Facility in Harbor Springs, MI.

Gerald was born and raised in Findlay on July 9, 1932, to Gerald A. and Catherine C. (Crates) Rader. He was an only child but was blessed with a cousin and good friend, Fred Crates, as well as a foster brother, Bob Berger.

Following high school graduation, he attended Bowling Green State University, majoring in accounting and minoring in finance. At BG he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, sold ads for the Key Club (which gave him access to his car) and enlisted in the Army ROTC.

He graduated from BGSU on June 4, 1954. Gerald married Nancy Lou Metcalf, whom he had met on a blind double date in college, at the First Methodist Church in Ashtabula on June 5, 1954, as she was attending summer school at BG.  Gerald began work at the Ohio Oil Company on the 14th.  Nancy completed her student teaching in Findlay before they left for his active Army duty, which Gerald served in both Oklahoma and Maryland.  Following his Army service, he returned to work at Ohio Oil (which became Marathon Oil Co.), ultimately becoming the manager of the foreign tax department.  Professionally, Gerald was a member of the American Petroleum Institute and a past President of the Toledo Tax Forum. He traveled frequently to London, Nigeria, the Middle East, and Asia.

In 1984 he built a summer home (his son Timothy was project manager) on Black Lake outside of Cheboygan, MI, where his entire family vacationed. Gerald loved to fish by drifting across Black Lake while listening to Tiger Baseball on the radio, especially when Ernie Harwell was calling the games.

Gerald supported BGSU his entire life, attending not only their athletic events but supporting development activities as a member of the Falcon Club Advisory Board. He was a past President of the Findlay Exchange Club, and a long-time member of both the Findlay Elks and Country Clubs. He was a past Treasurer, President, and Director of the Indian River Golf Club.

A long-time member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Findlay, he taught Sunday School, led the counting team, chaired the Church Session, served as Church Treasurer, and more.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his foster brother, Bob Berger; and two brothers-in-law.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Findlay; daughter, Pamela (Howard) Hull of Coniston, Cumbria, U.K.; son, Mark (Susan) Rader of Spring Valley, MN; son, Timothy (Laura) Rader of Villa Rica, GA; grandchildren, Kyle (Kristina) Rader, Joel (Younji Choi) Rader, Austin Rader, and Olivia Rader; four great-grandchildren, Emmalyn Rader, Ellison Rader, Joshua Rader and Ari Rader; two sisters-in-law, Janice deRidder of Geneva, OH, and Joyce Metcalf of Ellenton, FL.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 700 E. Melrose Avenue, Findlay, OH, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd., Findlay, (419-422-1500) is honored to serve Gerald’s family.

In Gerald’s honor memorial donations can be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 700 E Melrose Ave, Findlay, OH 45840, or to a cause of your choice.

Faith Presbyterian Church
700 E Melrose Ave., Findlay OH 45840
Tel: 1-419-425-2840