Donald Eugene Ray was born July 16, 1938, the third son of Herman and Blanche (Kolb) Ray. St. Clair County, Illinois was his birthplace with his growing up years in Ferguson, Missouri. His passing was on January 25, 2017 at the Seneca House in Seneca, Missouri.
After graduation from high school in 1956 he enlisted in the United States Navy serving from 1957 to 1961. He enjoyed his military years and developed a great love for his country.
In 1962 he was united in marriage to Margaret Ann Lindsey of Louisiana, Missouri and she preceded him in death in December 1995.
In 1998 he married Dianne Hoke McCaskey of the state of Wisconsin.
Surviving is his wife Dianne, his children, Jeff Ray and wife Teri, Neosho, Missouri, Michael Ray and wife Kendra, Wentzville, Missouri; grandchildren, Jacob Michael Ray and Bonnie Ann Ray, both of Neosho, Missouri. Dianne’s children, Miranda Stamps and husband John, Sallisaw, Oklahoma, Matthew McCaskey and wife Mary, Boonville, Missouri, one brother, Ronald Ray and wife Betty, state of Pennsylvania, one sister in law, Mary Lou Ray, state of Wyoming, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents, brothers, William Ray and wife Elsie, Rolla, Missouri, James Ray, state of Wyoming, Harold Ray, St. Louis, Missouri and a nephew, Scott Ray, state of Pennsylvania.
He was an employee of the General Motor Company in Hazelwood, Missouri from 1961 to 1984. In 1984 and until his retirement in January 1999 he worked as the purchasing manager for Eagle Picher of Joplin, Missouri. Don also worked part-time at the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri from 2006 until the time of his illness. He enjoyed this job as he was a “people” person, and had many opportunities to witness to many families.
Don was an ambitious man with many talents. For many years he was a scoutmaster in Florissant, Missouri. He was also a member of the American Legion and the D.A.V. He served as a deacon of the Southern Baptist Church where he was very loyal and active. He volunteered many years at Freeman Health System in Neosho, Missouri and Joplin, Missouri, as well as at the Cancer Institute. He spent many hours square dancing with the Lost Creek Promenaders.
Being a kind, caring and generous man he was willing to help anyone with anything they needed.
He was a great history buff and could tell anyone anything they wanted to know, and more! He enjoyed traveling to many historic sites of our U.S.A. His boys have been everywhere!
His teasing, his humor and his pleasant smile will be missed by all who knew him. His favorite advice to Dianne and her friends was to “Behave”…. and now he is organizing his eternity, and with a teasing smile, asking everyone to behave.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday January 28, 2017 at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary with Pastor Kyle Beverlin officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Stone Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday January 27, 2017 from 5:30 -7:00 pm at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary chapel.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home and Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary
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