Raymond Denny Marlatt

He will forever be remembered as a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Ray lived a full and wonderful life and will be deeply missed by the many who loved him.

Ray was born on May 7, 1935, to Clifford and Queenie (Williams) Marlatt. His early years were spent hunting, fishing, and working on the family farm alongside his five brothers and one sister. Those were joyful years filled with love and laughter and helped instill in Ray a deep devotion to God and family that he carried throughout his life.

During his school years, Ray was an athlete who participated in basketball and track. He served as class president during his senior year and, after graduating, joined the U.S. Navy. While serving, he traveled the world aboard the USS Lexington, an Essex-class aircraft carrier nicknamed “The Blue Ghost,” with a proud World War II history. Ray’s role primarily involved the maintenance and repair of aircraft. After the ship was retired from service, it was refitted as a historic museum and is now docked in Corpus Christi, Texas. A proud patriot, Ray was honored to serve his country.

After his tour of duty ended, Ray began his civilian career with General Electric in Oakland, California. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Betty Jean Ganem. Together, they welcomed two beautiful children, Scott Clifford and Tracy Rae. Ray was later offered a position with General Electric on the SEFOR nuclear project in northwest Arkansas. The family relocated to Fayetteville, and then to Prairie Grove, AR to take part in this exciting and innovative project. After SEFOR’s successful completion and decommissioning in 1972, Ray took another bold step and accepted a role as a control engineer with the Kansas City–based engineering firm Black & Veatch. His responsibilities included designing, developing, and implementing instrumentation to automate and control systems in power plants around the world. Ray remained with Black & Veatch until his retirement in 1997. When he accepted the position, the family moved to Raytown, Missouri, where they lived in the same cherished home for over 50 years.

Family time was always Ray’s priority. After purchasing the family’s first camper—and making a few classic “Marlatt Modifications”—they began exploring the country together. Through these adventures, Ray passed along his love of the outdoors. The family made lifelong memories camping in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, visiting countless state parks, lakes, and local campgrounds. Ray never left home without a toolbox and a tackle box—“just in case.” The family’s photo albums are filled with images from those wonderful times, each one carrying the warmth and love of shared moments.

After retirement, Ray and Betty traveled extensively across the United States and abroad, often with his brothers and their wives. Their adventures took them to China, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South America, Egypt, Africa, Singapore, Canada, Hawaii, and beyond. They spent three months exploring Alaska in their RV, floated the Nile in Egypt, and even camped in the South American rainforest. The experiences Ray and Betty shared during their 64 years of marriage would take most people multiple lifetimes to achieve.

Ray’s favorite hobby was his lapidary work. A longtime member of the Heart of America Gem and Mineral Society, he often gave demonstrations at area gem shows. He spent hours in his workshop, meticulously cutting, shaping, and polishing stones to reveal their inner beauty. Ray had a gift for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. What most would see as a simple stone, he transformed into a work of art. He created unique jewelry, repaired treasured heirlooms for friends and neighbors, and often refurbished the very machines he used with his own skilled hands. If you own a piece of Ray’s jewelry, know that it is a one-of-a-kind creation made with care, patience, and love. In later years, he passed this passion on to his granddaughters, who joined him in the “rock shop” to learn the craft.

Ray’s life was filled with love, family, adventure—and ICE CREAM! Especially strawberry! He was a devoted husband, a dedicated father, and a cherished family man. Ray was also a believer in Christ, which provides comfort to his family knowing that although his body is at rest, his spirit is now with God in Heaven. He made the world a better place in countless ways and will be missed more than words can say.

Ray was preceded in death by his brothers Jack, William, and Kenny, and sisters-in-law Patricia and Beverly. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Marlatt; son, Scott (Lisa) of Henley, MO; daughter, Tracy (Brian Swirk) of Kansas City, MO; granddaughters, Erica McClary (Aaron) of Henley, MO, and Cera (Wesley) Wren of Eugene, MO; great-grandsons, Weston Wren and Alex McClary; brothers, Jerry (Edith) of Kearney, NE, Nancy (Willie) of Omaha, NE, and Doug (Kristin) of Cottage Grove, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews across the country.

A memorial service will be held on October 25th at Floral Hills Cemetery in Raytown, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity, in which his brother is a very active member. https://www.habitat.org/donate/?link=6&affiliate=1249-0921

From humble beginnings to high tech.

From the family farm to the core of a nuclear reactor.

From old rocks to brilliant gemstones.

From being single to celebrating 64 years of marriage and the love of children.

From north to south, and east to west—Ray went there and did that.

And from reading the Bible to ultimately meeting its Author.

Ray set his course, and made his dreams come true.

Cheers to Ray!

What a beautiful life he lived.

And what a profound legacy he left behind.