Ray D Findley

Ray Dene Findley was born on February 17, 1933 to Alfred and Ollie Pearl Findley on the family’s 40-acre farm near the southeastern Missouri town of Puxico. Declared stillborn by his delivering doctor, he was resuscitated by the attending midwife, Rosie Mallette, when she wrapped him in blankets and warmed him by the wood-burning cook stove. Aunt Rosie, as he would call her, was the first of several strong and loving women who would eventually grace his life. He dearly cherished her until her death.

As the youngest of five children in a poor farming family during the Depression, life was challenging. Christmas consisted of a Cedar tree decorated in popcorn, and stockings stuffed with nuts and a few chocolate drops. Options for weekend entertainment being limited, the family would listen to boxing matches on their Philco radio. Since their home lacked electricity, the radio required charging in town during weekend grocery trips, which the family would take on the family’s horse and wagon.

Ray was raised in a loving community. One of his earliest memories recalls a neighboring family, the Richards, devastated by a house fire one night. Early the next morning the Findleys set out to help, bringing what few tools they owned. When they arrived, they found that every family within a 5-mile radius had come to lend a hand. By nightfall the Richards had a new one-room log cabin and enough donated furniture to be self-sustaining. That incident was a first-hand lesson in hospitality and family values that Ray would carry with him the rest of his life.

When Ray was only seven years old his father Alfred died tragically of pneumonia. He never forgot his mother’s terrible anguish as they laid his father to rest. She knew her son’s anguish first-hand as well; she too had lost her own beloved father at a young age. That shared loss forged a strong bond between them. Throughout his life Ray was known, both by family and friends, for being particularly devoted to his mother.

Ray was a good student, but had few options for advancement when he graduated from high school. He joined the U.S. Air Force where he was trained in radar, a cutting edge technology at the time. After serving four years, he received an Honorable Discharge and went on to excel in positions using his air force training at McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and later Emerson Electric. At McDonnell his excellent work there resulted in him being considered for inclusion in the elite executive career track, but was ultimately not accepted because he lacked a college degree at the time. This he remedied at the age of 60 by first graduating from college then earning his Masters degree in Business Administration from Lindenwood University. Recalling these belated college years he remarked, “Competing with the young students proved very refreshing and, even at my senior age, I was quite successful.”

He met his wife and lifelong companion, Kathryn Ann Campbell, at a Church of Christ in Denver, CO. They were married three months later on October 9, 1953. Although their friends expressed doubt that such a brief courtship could support a lifelong marriage, Ray and Kay proved inseparable and were married for 70 years. When asked for her favorite memory of Ray, Kay recalled what a good father he was to their children, Kevin and Cynthia.

“Ray-Ray” and “Kay-Kay”, as they would be affectionately known by young children, were active members at the churches of Christ in the St. Louis area. Ray was often called upon to teach Bible classes, lead worship, and preach sermons. He also served as an elder at the Hazelwood Church of Christ in Hazelwood, Mo, and later the Birdie Hills congregation in St. Charles County. After moving to Columbia, MO in 1992, they were active and well-loved members of the Eastside church of Christ for many years.

Ray is remembered as a strong man, intelligent and capable, and always kind. He loved people, especially children, and he was a devout Christian. He willingly helped others in various ways.

Throughout his life Ray never lost his appreciation for his humble upbringing in Puxico, MO. He attended high school reunions as often as he could into his 80’s. He especially cherished the Cherokee Indian heritage passed to him through his mother. His autobiography “A Mile in My Moccasins”, closes with an Indian prayer Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.

Ray passed, with clean hands through Jesus Christ, into God’s keeping in the earlier hours of Friday, June 7, at home with his wife and son. He is survived by wife Kathryn (“Kay”), of Columbia, MO, his son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Pam Findley, of Bakersfield, CA, their children Marty Findley and his wife, Amy, of Woodbridge, VA and Ashleigh Carter of Bakersfield, CA, and his sister Wanda Parker, of Columbia, MO. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Cynthia Hollweg, and granddaughter, Erica Brooke Findley, both his parents and his three brothers.

Visitation and Funeral at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia, MO at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM and interment at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, MO at 1:00 PM on June 14, 2024.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com