Obituaries:

 

RAY

 

Chester W. Ray , Marceline in whose honor the Marceline High School football Stadium and track complex has been named, died Saturday morning at Brookfield Nursing Center. He was 84.  The son of Walter F. and Daisy Dean Ray he was born June 9 1906 near New Boston. On Oct 18 1933 he married Pearl Bailey at Brookfield .She survives at home.

Also surviving are a daughter Connie Jo Waddell, Phoenix Arizona, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents a son David Edward Ray and 2 sisters Mildred Borron and Ruby Simmons.

Mr. Ray attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and taught school for six years. He became a civil engineer and in 1935 was employed by the Santa Fe Railway Co.

He worked for the railway till his retirement Aug 31 1968. He then undertook private survey work. Mr. Ray assisted Marceline public schools in construction of a new football stadium which the district dedicated in his name in 1974. He was a member of the Marceline first Baptist Church, which he served as a deacon and a trustee. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Marceline First Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Clyde Enyeart and Rev. Charles Odum. burial will be in Mt Olivet Cemetery Marceline

The family will meet friends from 7-9 this evening at McLaughlin-Scudierp Funeral home Marceline.

Memorials to the Marceline First Baptist Chutch may be left at the funeral home.           (Unknown newspaper and date published.)

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Ray, James H. -Age 76 He was a retired framer and Auctioneer and resided in Veradale Wash. Survived by his wife Letitia Ray (Weatherhead) and 1 son Edward and 2 daughters ,Myrtle and Genevieve ,all of Veradale. 2 brothers William and Walter of Missouri, and one sister Anna Finney of Whitefish Montana. Funeral Services will be held Sat. Dec. 2 at 2pm. from the Mission Funeral home Rev. O.P. Shenefelt officiating .Internment Riverside Park . (Born July 24 ,1857 Linn Co Missouri)        (Spokane Review Dec. 2 1933 pg 11)

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J. W. (John Willis) Ray, who had been sick for a long time, died last Thursday morning at 2 o'clock, age 42 years. He was a good citizen and neighbor. A wife and bright little babe 5 months old survive him, who have the sympathy of the entire community. The remains were interred at Pleasant Grove Friday.  (son of William Ray and Louisa Slack born May 11 1858 in New Boston Linn Co Missouri)     (Bucklin Herald  Bucklin, Missouri  Page 4 col 2  Hybrid Items  Feb 22, 1901)

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Walter F. Ray, born 9 Jan 1871 ,near New Boston to William and Louisa Ray died Jan 25th ,Burial Bucklin Masonic Cemetery. He was the last of 13 children. On Oct 9 1897 he wed Daisy Dean. They had 3 children Ruby Simpson,(Simmons) of Winigan,Mildred (Borron) of Kansas City, Son Chester of Marceline 4  randchildren,Sara,Dean, Marilyn,and Glen Ray Simmons and Connie Jo Ray .Infant grandson David Edward Ray died 3 weeks ago.           

(Marceline News  Marceline, Missouri Feb. 4 ,1949)

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THE PASSING OF WM. RAY

The subject of this sketch was born in Kentucky Jan. 8, 1832 and died Nov. 19, 1916 at the home of his son, W. F. Ray in Baker township near his old homestead. Aged 84 years, 10 months and 21 days. When eight years old he emigrated with his parents to Missouri and settled on the Eastern border of Linn county. In 1841 at a time so early that the tent poles on the Indian camp grounds were still standing and the inhabitants of Linn county were easy counted. The nearest trading point at that time was Brunswick on the Missouri river. He was one of the few old pioneers that enjoyed the distinction of seeing Linn county grow from a wild wilderness to the present high state of development.

In 1856 he was united in marriage to Louisa Slack, who preceded him in death in 1898. To this union was born thirteen children. Four survive him: J. H. Ray and Mrs. Anna Urbann of Odessa, Wash., W. J. Ray of Tunas, Mo., and W. F. Ray of New Boston, Mo., also eighteen grand children.

He gave his service to the Union army and served during the Civil War. He united with the Christian church near fifty years ago and believed in serving God and his fellowmen. And when in declining years was bowed down with the weight of four score years and more, expressed his willingness to accept death and rest from his labors and was anxious to meet his "loved ones" gone before.

By his special request funeral services were conducted by Rev. A. Munyon and interment at Pleasant Grove cemetery.

Dear old father how we miss you.

And our hearts are sad and sore,

Longing for the sound of your footsteps,

Which we know we will hear no more.

(The Bucklin Herald  Bucklin, Missouri  December 15, 1916  Page 9 col 3)

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Obituaries kindly submitted by Linda Ray Harper, 21 May 2007.

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