Donald Ray Fuller

Donald “Ray” Fuller, 81, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at his home in Vancouver, Washington, surrounded by his loving family. Ray was a longtime resident of Kansas City, Missouri, from birth until 2021 when he moved to the Pacific Northwest to be near his son Brian. Ray was a humble, generous, and gentle father, brother, and mentor. Ray was a lifelong philanthropic donor of his time and energy to underserved youth in the Kansas City area. As a boy, he witnessed the unfairness of the segregated lunch counters in downtown department stores while taking shopping trips with his mother and later related this experience as the seed that inspired him to serve his community.

Ray started mentoring in 1968 with the Big Brothers (now Big Brothers Big Sisters) organization and maintained relationships with his “little brothers” throughout his life. He later continued his service to area youth as an adult leader with Boy Scout Troop 9 in North Kansas City and served as a Heart of America Council commissioner. In addition, Ray worked as a volunteer youth mentor for organizations such as Cornerstones of Care and welcomed foster children into his home after retiring as an accountant from the City of Kansas City Aviation Department. In 2019, he was honored by the Kansas City Shepherd’s Center with a “70 over 70” award for his lifetime of service to the metropolitan area.

An avid outdoorsman, Ray enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, and took many road trips throughout his life to revel in America’s natural wonders, from the headwaters of the Missouri River to the Great Smoky Mountains and seemingly all points in between. In his later years, he enjoyed visiting the Oregon coast and the Cascade mountains.

Ray was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of North Kansas City. He graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in economics. After graduation, he joined the United States Coast Guard, serving as a radio operator.

Ray is survived by his son Brian Fuller and grandson Harvey of Portland, Oregon, his brother Bruce Fuller of Norman, Oklahoma, his brother David Fuller of Parkville, Missouri, and his sister Charlotte Hayes of McDonough, Georgia.

The family would like to thank Veronica Escobar and her skilled staff at Green Haven Home Care for their exceptional care and support for Ray in his final years.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Newcomers White Chapel in Gladstone, Missouri at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

Donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City, Cornerstones of Care, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Fuller family.