Ray was born January 21, 1925, to David Lloyd Alderson and Emma Jewell (Boring) Alderson on a farm in Benton County, Missouri. The family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in late 1927, where Ray attended grade school and graduated from Wyandotte High School.
Ray served in the U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster Third Class on several squadron flag ships in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was in numerous pivotal battles including Iwo Jima. After the war he attended and graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in psychology and BS in Business Administration.
Ray married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Mary Lyth, on June 3, 1948, and was totally devoted to her. They had two daughters, Virginia Rae McGaha and Laura Eloise Musil, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Ray began his business life with Riss and Company Trucking and after a few years joined Yellow Transit Freight Lines (now Yellow Corporation), where he retired as Executive Vice President in 1983. Ray was active in transportation affairs nationally. He was a board member of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, the Humana Hospital (Overland Park Regional Hospital) and board of Trustees and a board member of Leawood South Country Club. He was a member of Hillcrest Christian Church.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Jewell Alderson, his wife Mary, his brother, Robert Gene Alderson, a special sister-in-law, Ginnie Orrick and nephew Al Orrick. He is survived by his daughters, Virginia (Howard) McGaha, Laura (Don) Musil, 5 grandchildren that he dearly loved, Brian and Ben Lancaster, Dane, Erin (Miller) and Katelyn Musil, and great-grandchildren Brendan, Ben, Scarlett, Riley, Karlie, Emily, Grace and Abigail Lancaster, Hope, Roman and Malia Miller, his sister Eloise Babin, and several dear nieces and nephews, Debby Howland, Marsha Scrogum, David Alderson and David Babin.
Ray enjoyed many hobbies including travel, woodworking, golf, fly fishing and winemaking. He was an avid reader. His loving kindness, intelligence, infectious smile and quiet faith will be missed by all who knew him. He lived life to the fullest, and cherished his wife, daughters, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren .
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Ray’s name to Hillcrest Christian Church, 11411 Quivira Road, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 66210, the United States Navy Memorial (www.NavyMemorial.org), or the charity of your choice.
A visitation for Ray will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. A committal service will occur Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM at Mt Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Alderson family.
