Rayford "Ray" Elwood Lassetter

Rayford E. “Ray” Lasseter was born on Saturday, April 18, 1931, in Columbia, Louisiana. He was the son of James “J. D.” and Gladys (Ray) Lasseter. Ray lived in many locations in the states and abroad, moving from Warrensburg, Missouri to Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas in 1978, where he made his home until his death on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at the age of seventy-seven years. Ray attended Caldwell Parish School in Louisiana and earned his GED while serving in the United States Navy. In 1953, Ray was united in marriage with Margaret Jane “Mickey” Fox in Warrensburg, Missouri. They later divorced. On November 21, 1979, Ray was united in marriage with Mary Alice Ferguson in Ottawa, Kansas. He served in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1951 as an Instrument Repairman, and United States Air Force from 1951 to his honorable discharge in 1968, as a Construction Equipment Supervisor. Following his military career, Ray was a transport driver from 1968 to 1986 for Mobil Oil in Kansas City, Kansas and from 1986 to 1998, worked for Ottawa Co-op as a fertilizer tender. Ray had several careers over his life. He was proud of being able to retire not once but three times. He retired from the Air Force after twenty years of globetrotting including England, Goose Bay Labrador, and Thailand. He also retired from Mobil Oil and Ottawa Co-op. Ray also spent several years driving clients between Ottawa and Lawrence for the SRS. In his spare time, he worked as a camp host at Pomona State Park. Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also really enjoyed helping people, especially children. While in the Air Force, he was stationed for three years in England. For two summers, he worked in Boy Scout camps. Later in life, he enjoyed spending time working with the children at Sacred Heart School in Ottawa, Kansas. There he volunteered at lunch time handing out silverware and listening to the children’s tales. He was especially proud being able to help expand the school library with books and new shelves to the benefit of all the children. For several years, at Christmas time, Ray and Mary Alice adopted families to provide them with food and gifts to enjoy the holiday season. Ray loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed helping his numerous grandchildren with their homework and taking them to the places they needed to go. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church; life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901; and former member of Fraternal Order of Eagles #2700; all of Ottawa. Ray is survived by his wife, Mary Alice, of their home; four sons, Doug Lasseter and his wife, Nancy, of Greenwood, New York, Kevin Spears of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, David Spears and his wife, Tracie, of Michigan Valley, Kansas, Tim Spears of Ottawa, Kansas; three daughters, Frances Hughes and her husband, Larry, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lorie Foltz and her husband, Greg, of West Monroe, Louisiana, Theresa Morrow and her husband, Tim, of Ottawa, Kansas; brother, James Lasseter and his wife, Joyce, of Spring Hill, Kansas; eighteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Novella Young and Carlynn Flowers. SERVICES: A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2008. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Ray at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, where a Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by visitation at 7:00. CEMETERY: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas, with Military Honors by Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart School or Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Ransom Memorial Hospital, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.