The Ray Arnold Masonry Story

A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Community

1952–1979: A Foundation Built on Hard Work

Ray Arnold Masonry began in 1952 when our grandpa Ray started the company with a simple belief: do honest work, treat people with respect, and stand behind every project. For over seven decades, that foundation has guided everything we do.

Our story starts with Raymond A. "Ray" Arnold, who founded the business in South Russell, Ohio, in the early 1950s. Armed with little more than a pickup truck and his masonry tools, Ray began serving local customers with quality brickwork while his wife, Irene, managed the bookkeeping and payroll. After a difficult financial season, Ray and Irene adopted Psalm 127:1 as a guiding principle, reinforcing their belief that lasting success depends on God's blessing.

Our Story & Mission
The Legacy Continues

1979–2019: The Legacy Continues

Our dad Larry joined the family business in 1979 as an apprentice bricklayer and laborer. He assumed leadership after Ray's retirement in the late 1990s and ran the company for 30 years, building on Grandpa Ray's reputation and serving the same Northeast Ohio neighborhoods where our family has deep roots. Larry built the company around a simple philosophy: "When a customer wins, you win."

Ray passed away in December 2008 at the age of 78, but his legacy lives on in every project we complete.

2019–Present: Growth Through the Next Generation

2019–Present: Growth Through the Next Generation

Today, three of Ray's grandsons carry the tradition forward:

  • Cody Arnold joined in 2012 as a laborer before transitioning into leadership, working alongside Larry to build strategic systems to strengthen the business processes while preparing for ownership in 2019. His visionary gift and foresight continue to guide us today.
  • Judah Arnold first joined in 2009, returned full-time in 2019, and progressed from laborer to apprentice bricklayer to Crew Manager. He later lent his crew leadership and organizational skills as General Manager in 2026.
  • Andrew Arnold worked summers part-time as a laborer before moving to sales in 2019. He used his innovation to develop into a key sales leader, becoming full-time Sales & Marketing Manager in 2020.

We've rebuilt thousands of chimneys, foundations, porches, and fireplaces across Greater Cleveland. We've worked in homes where our grandfather laid the original brick. We've returned to properties we repaired decades ago and found them still standing strong. That's the kind of work we're proud of—and the kind of legacy we're building for the next generation.

We're here, in the communities we serve, doing the work the right way. We've been doing it since 1952, and we'll be doing it for decades to come.

Masonry workers restoring brickwork on a Greater Cleveland home.
Ray Arnold Masonry team members contributing to the Greater Cleveland community.

Our Philosophy

For over seven decades, Ray Arnold Masonry has been committed to honor God by:

  • Empowering team members
  • Caring for customers
  • Improving our communities with excellence, integrity, and authenticity

These values continue to guide the company as it builds lasting relationships—and lasting masonry—for future generations.

Our Values

Fellowship

Our team is a supportive community, and we aim to make RAM a great place to work for generations to come. We value and care for each other, on and off the job. Our more experienced team members love sharing their wisdom to help new team members create a successful vision for their lives. Through mentorship, guidance, and camaraderie, the whole team grows and gets stronger.

Healthy Optimism

We believe each day is a gift, and we choose to make the best of it. Whether we are digging, building a chimney, or talking to customers on the phone, we have fun. We are all in this together, so we strive to maintain a good attitude and uplift each other.

Continuous Improvement

We are committed to ongoing improvement at every level of the business—from team members to processes to the communities we serve. We stay open to new ideas and work together to ensure we always deliver the best work possible.

Integrity

We engage with our customers authentically on and off the job. We aim to be honest and humble in every interaction. We do the right thing at the right time, and we own up to our mistakes.

Excellence

We believe in caring for customers’ homes as if they were our own. Every detail matters, and that shows in our work. We maintain high standards for quality and don’t take shortcuts. We strive for excellence in our personal lives, and that carries over to every professional interaction.

Reputation

The work is our signature on a home, and we want to leave a positive, lasting impression on every customer. Our projects are more than jobs—they are connections we make, people we serve, and communities we improve. Reputation outweighs profit every time because we care about earning respect and building community trust.

Meet The Team

We don't just hire masons. We build a team of craftsmen we'd trust in our own homes.

Every person who works at Ray Arnold Masonry is hand-selected based on character first. These aren't random hires or rotating subcontractors—they're people we know personally and trust with our own families.

That's the standard we hold because after 70+ years, we've learned that technical skill can be taught, but integrity, respect, and reliability can't. Our customers have trusted us for over seven decades because they know the crew that shows up will treat their property—and their family—with the same care we'd expect.

Our team includes master masons with decades of experience, field supervisors who ensure every detail is right, and skilled tradespeople who show up on time, respect your home, and complete work as promised.

When you work with Ray Arnold Masonry, you're not getting strangers with a toolbelt. You're getting the kind of craftsmen we'd proudly invite to work on our own front porch.

Ready to Work With a Team Who Cares?

Call (440) 834-8252 or visit our contact page to schedule your inspection!

We'll assess your masonry issue, explain what's going on, and provide a written proposal with specific solutions, timelines, and pricing.

We look forward to serving you!