Rev. Raymond W. Raley

Rev. Raymond W. “Ray” Raley, age 85, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Monday, October 17, 2011, at Richmond Healthcare in Richmond, Kansas. He was born on Friday, April 23, 1926, in Pueblo, Colorado, the son of John F. and Susie M. (Thompson) Raley. Ray was raised in Pueblo, Colorado. In 1951, he married and moved to Salida for three years and began to prepare for the ministry; moving back to Pueblo and becoming an ordained minister at thirty years of age. He moved to Ottawa, Kansas in December of 2006. He was ordained as a minister with the Assemblies of God, pastoring ten years in Craig, Colorado from 1958 until 1968; accepted the church in Ottawa, where he stayed for seven years. He moved to Garden City, Kansas to do an interim ministry, which helped to keep some churches open while they found a permanent pastor. He had two full-time pastorates during that time, with his last being Plymell Union Church in Garden City for fifteen years. He owned and operated a drycleaners, known as Raley’s Cleaners, for twenty-five years in Garden City, from 1975 to 2000. Ray served in the United States Army during World War II in the European Theater from August 14, 1944 until June 28, 1946, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of Plymell Union Church in Garden City, Kansas and in the early years was always an active member of city and county activities. He was also a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association and of American Legion Post #396 of Garden City, Kansas. On September 28, 1951, Ray was united in marriage with E. Jean Downer. She survives of their home. He is survived by his: Wife-E. Jean Raley of the home; Son-Michael R. Raley and his wife, Becky, of Ottawa, Kansas; Daughter-Berylanne “Bo” Stewart of Needles, California; Grandchild-Kyle Raley of Ottawa, Kansas; Grandchild-Ryan Raley of Ottawa, Kansas; Grandchild-Wyatt Raley of Georgetown, Texas; Grandchild-Shanna Collins and her husband, T. J., of Kingsville, Texas and Great Granddaughter-Jaycee Collins of Kingsville, Texas. He is preceded in death by his: Parents-John F. and Susie M. Raley and Son-Milton Raley SERVICES: Graveside inurnment services will be held at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2011. IN STATE: Cremation is planned. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to World Challenge, David Wilkerson c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.