Chris Ray

Robert Christian “Chris” Ray, son of Charles Larry and Glenda June (Ross) Ray, was born on February 4, 1967 in Kansas City, Missouri, and passed away on November 17, 2007 in the Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, Missouri, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was 40 years, 9 months, and 13 days of age.
Chris grew up and attended school in Mtn. Grove, Missouri and graduated from Mtn. Grove High School in 1985. He attended Drury College in Springfield where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in business and communications and his Master’s Degree in education. He taught English and coached at Pipkin Middle School and Kickapoo School in Springfield for a while.
Chris was employed as a loan officer for First National Bank and Brown and Wagner at the time of his passing.
He enjoyed writing articles about sports, politics, and education. Many of which were published.
He also enjoyed the outdoors, especially when fishing and hunting with his father. He was a Bass Pro model for their sporting goods department and he also liked working on political campaigns.
Chris was a very devoted man to his family, friends, and work. He will truly be missed by those who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother: Catholine V. Ray on March 20, 2001.
He is survived by his parents: Larry and Glenda Ray of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; his fiancé: Brooke Hobbs of Springfield, Missouri; one sister: Lou Ann Haney of Cassville, Missouri; his paternal grandfather: Charlie Ray of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; his maternal grandmother: Fleecie Boone of Mount Morris, Michigan; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Chris Ray were held Wednesday, November 21, 1:00 PM in the Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, with Rev. Bill Morris and Glenn Larson officiating. Song selections were “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and “Don’t Stop Believing.” Pallbearers were Doug Garges, Mike Seitz, Glenn Larson, Terry Letterman, Justin Brown and Bobby Chriman. Honorary pallbearers were Dan Bryant, Ralph Tetlow, Bruce Brown and Steve Wagner. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Mtn. Grove, under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.


Funeral Services:
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:00 PM in the Gorman-Scharpf Chapel, Springfield, Missouri, under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home
Visitation:
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:00 pm - 8:00 PM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel, Mtn. Grove, Missouri
Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery, Mtn. Grove, Missouri