Charlie Arlin Ray

CHARLIE ARLIN RAY, 55, of Cassville, Missouri, died Wednesday, June 4, 2003, in St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Missouri.

He was born on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948, in Cassville, the son of George Thomas and Ida May (Utter) Ray. On August 1, 1970, in Mexico, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Barbara Crews, who survives him.

He is also survived by two daughters, Martha Stanley and her husband, Chris, of Hollister, Missouri, and Sara Ray of the home; a son, Thomas Ray, of the home; three brothers, George O. Ray and his wife, Carolyn of Butterfield, Missouri, Henry Ray of Columbia, Missouri, and Dr. Fred Ray and his wife, Flo, of Miami, Oklahoma; two sisters, Anna May Buchanan of Springfield, Missouri, and Arlene Blakey and her husband, Bert, of Springfield, Missouri and a sister-in-law, Jeanee Ray, of Purdy, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Walter Ray.

Charlie graduated from Cassville High School and Draughon's Business School in Springfield. He was very active in the Butterfield First Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School superintendent. He also served his community as chief of the Butterfield Volunteer Fire Department, president of Butterfield Special Road District, as well as a member of the Ozarks Gateway Fire Chiefs Association and Gideon's International.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 7, 2003, in Williamson Funeral Home, Cassville. Bobby Harrison, pastor of Butterfield First Baptist Church, conducted. Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, where Rev. Robert Wiggs assisted Pastor Harrison at the graveside.