Ray Adelbert Talbott

Ray Adelbert Talbott, age 85, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011. He was born on Monday, November 23, 1925, in Ottawa, the son of William Adelbert and Elma Oleta (Arnold) Talbott. He was a lifelong Ottawa resident. Ray graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1943. He worked over thirty-seven years as a Telegrapher-Clerk for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad, retiring in 1986. Ray served in the 398TH Bomb Group of the101st Bombardment Photographic Squadron of the United States Army from January 18, 1944, until November 28, 1945, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant and receiving 3 Bronze Stars for serving in the Ardennes Rhineland Central Europe Campaigns, the Air Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Ray was a member of First Christian Church in Ottawa, serving on various committees and for many years helped Marilyn make the chicken and noodles for the women's annual fundraiser. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Memorial Post #5901, for a total of over sixty-five years. For sixty years, he was a member of Ottawa Lodge #18, A.F.& A.M., Union Chapter #15, Order of Eastern Star, Ottawa Shrine #19, White Shrine of Jerusalem and Retta Conclave #8, Order of True Kindred, where he served as Grand Advisor one year. He was also a member of Tancred Commandery #11 of the York Rite Bodies, where he was Past Grand Master, served as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council Cryptic of Kansas in 1981, Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and Past Prior of the Knights Cross of Honor, Kansas York Rite College #125, Knight of York, Order of the Purple Cross where he received the Athelstand Award, St. Justin Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Order of High Priesthood, Kansas Association of Past Commanders, and was named Kansas Mason of the Year. He and Marilyn also made the chicken and noodles for the annual fundraiser for the Lodge twenty-four years with proceeds going to the Masonic Charity. He also belonged to the Night Crawlers and Jayhawks camping clubs and the 398th Bomb Group Reunion Group. He was instrumental in the construction of the Veterans War Memorial and the remodeling and maintenance of Washburn Towers, both of Ottawa. He enjoyed ceramics, woodworking and gardening. On Sunday, June 19, 1949, Ray was united in marriage with Marilyn Jane Crawford in Ottawa, Kansas. She survives of their home. He is survived by his Wife-Marilyn Jane Talbott of their home Daughter-Cheryl Jane Swearingen and her husband, Bob, of Ottawa, Kansas Daughter-Sheila Rae Dale and her husband, Kenneth, of Overbrook, Kansas Sister-Irene Roberts of Ottawa, Kansas Grandson-David Swearingen and his wife, KanDee Grandson-Nathan Swearingen Granddaughter-Anne Baughman and her husband, Neal Granddaughter-Carolee Dale-Baker Gt.Grandson-Colin Swearingen Gt.Grandson-Thomas Baughman Nieces & Nephews-Several He is preceded in by his: Parents-William Adelbert and Elma Oleta Talbott Brother-Seth Talbott Brother-Charles Talbott Grandson-Benjamin Swearingen SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held from First Christian Church in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2011. IN STATE: Mr. Talbott will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas, with Military Honors by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to First Christian Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.