Raymond "Ray" White

Raymond “Ray” White, Jr.

Raymond “Ray” White, Jr. 81, of Kirksville formerly of Greentop, MO and Montgomery City, MO, passed away Saturday, October 11, 2014, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO. He was surrounded by his family, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer along with many other health issues.

The son of Raymond and Beulah Evelina (McWhorter) White, Ray was born September 24, 1933 in Seaton, MO (Phelps County). In 1956 he was married to Patricia (Patsy) Rowland, and to this union four children were born. On October 23, 1999, in Kirksville, MO, he was united in marriage to Janet (Gregg) Goodwin.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Janet; daughters, Janet (Steve) Pickens of Branson, MO, Lorie Henke of Chesterfield, MO and Linda White of Winfield, MO; son, Michael (Cecilia) White of Montgomery City, MO; grandchildren, Scott (Lori) Pickens, Ashley (Colt) Hurst, Caleb White, Austin Jones, Christian Henke and Jordan Powell; great-grandchildren, Brandon Pickens and Ainsley Hurst; cousins (which he considered to be his siblings) Clifford White of Dixon, MO (fiancée, Linda Campbell), Jerry (Jo Ann) White of St. Charles, MO and Sue (Ermil) Cook of Rolla, MO; sister-in-law, Carol (Gregg) Carrara of East Granby, CT; nephews-in-law, Robert Carrara of Amston, CT and Evan (Karen) Carrara of Monson, Massachusetts; great-nephews, Gregg Carrara and Joseph Carrara, and great-niece, Clare Carrara; other cousins in the Rolla area; along with many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. His mother died in March, 1934 when Ray was 6 months old. His father then left him with his grandmother (White) Matlock who raised him until she died when he was 7 years old. After living with his step-grandfather for a few years he then went to live with his uncle Clifford and aunt Margie White and their family, which accounted for the fact that he considered his cousins as siblings. He was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Charles and Ida Gregg and a brother-in-law, Donald Carrara.

Raymond received his education in the Dent County public schools. After getting out of the Army in 1954, he worked at a service station in St. Louis, MO. In 1956 he began a 22 year career with Krey Packing Company in St. Louis, MO, along with doing mechanic work and operating White’s Tree Trimming & Lawn Service, evenings and weekends. In 1969, he moved to Montgomery City, MO where he continued to drive to St. Louis to work at Krey, as well as continuing his mechanic work. After leaving Krey, he worked as an automobile mechanic and automobile parts distributor out of Montgomery City, MO, where he owned and operated Ray’s Garage and Ray’s Distributing until moving to Greentop, MO in 1981. From 1981-1999, Ray owned and operated White’s Auto Supply and Service in Greentop. From 1999-2013, Ray and Janet owned and operated White’s Lawn Mower Parts and Service in Kirksville, MO, working along side each other daily in the business. They made so many friends through their business and appreciated them all so much. Ray was a very successful self-employed business owner, having owned several businesses throughout his life.

He was a member of the Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville since February, 1993, and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge. Ray loved to travel and he and Janet enjoyed many trips, along with 16 ocean cruises. They also had a love for gospel music and enjoyed many concerts throughout the country, along with many of the cruises also involving gospel music.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial with Military Rites will be in the Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville, MO.

Pallbearers will be Roger Brown, Jerry Gillum, Daniel Howe, Jeffery Jachura, Bob Matheney, Frank Matheney, Garry Mathes, Stanley Pickens, Paul Shultz, Gene Wood and Keith Nielsen.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 Tuesday evening, October 14, 2014, at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Raymond White may be made to the Hamilton Street Baptist Church.