Raymond Duane Zook died early in the morning on November 25, 2016, at Bickford of Overland Park, at 85 years of age. Ray, also known as “Uncle Duane” to his niece and five nephews, was born January 31, 1931, and raised in Newton, Kansas. His parents, Marion and Elsie Zook, moved with his brother Donald to Kansas City when Ray was around 8 years old. A veteran of the Korean War, Ray served in the Navy, OPC as a helicopter mechanic as well as Search and Rescue. Afterwards, he received his degree in Engineering at University of Missouri, Rolla, followed by his Masters in Metallurgy from the Colorado School of Mines. He returned to Kansas City where he worked at ARMCo Wire then Wire Rope Co for many years as chief metallurgical engineer before retiring in the late 1990’s. An avid outdoorsman, Ray’s passion was fishing. He joined the Heart of America Fly Fishers (HOAFF) in late 90’s, and served as their librarian. Always helpful, he tutored several young men in fly tying and casting. Ray was a talented wood carver and found a new love of drawing and painting in his twilight years. He also entertained his fellow residents of Bickford with his harmonica, a surprising talent honed during his childhood.
Ray is succeeded by his wife of 30 years, Joan Zook, and by Joan’s niece Carole Freiberger O’Keefe and her family, as well as his niece Barbara Zook, nephews David, William, Robert, John and Jeffrey Zook, eight great nieces and nephews and two great- great nieces.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016, at 10am, in the Chapel at Village Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his honor to the Food Pantry at Village Presbyterian Church, as Ray volunteered there in the Pantry’s early days.
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