Lt. Col. Raymond Macy Vawter, US Army, Ret., age 84 of Galena, KS, passed away at 2:25 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, MO after a sudden illness.
Born March 28, 1930 in Oakley, KS, he was the son of the late E.Y. and Mae Marecek Vawter and grew up in Garden City, KS, where he graduated from high school in 1948. He graduated from Kansas State University in January 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He was also a member of the KSU men’s basketball team. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in The United States Regular Army. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1953-1973. He taught ROTC at the University of Iowa from 1956-1958 and received his Master’s Degree from Iowa State University in 1963. He was a veteran of the Korean War and served two tours in Vietnam.
After retiring from the Army, he was a longtime resident of Frankfort, KS, Rock Springs, WY, and Bella Vista, AR. He was a member of the Masons, Lions Club and Rotary Club. He was an EMT for the Frankfort Volunteer Ambulance Service. At age 54, he went back to school at Garden City Community College and became a Registered Nurse. He worked as a nurse for 12 years. He was also a member of Our Savior Anglican Church, Joplin, MO.
On July 5, 1953 he married Peggy Joan Meyers. She preceded him in death September 25, 2013.
Survivors include a son, Jon Vawter and wife Angela of Overland Park, KS along with their son, Jackson; a daughter, Karen Fowler and husband Russell of Bella Vista, AR along with children, Macey Brake, Kyle Fowler and wife Margret, and Kristian Fowler Addison; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 27th from 6:00-7:00pm at Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO. Memorial services will be Wednesday, May 28th at 11:00 am at Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, AR. Graveside service with Military Honors will be Thursday, May 29th at 1:30pm at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kansas Masonic Foundation.
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