Raymond L Potter

Raymond L. Potter, 94, of Longmont, died February 23, 2016 at Applewood Living Center. He was born in Montezuma, Kansas on September 24, 1921. Ray grew up on the farm with his parents Fred and Alice (Scott) Potter, a farm which was homesteaded by his father in 1902. Ray graduated from Montezuma High School in 1941. After graduation he worked in a drugstore in Cimarron, KS before going into the Army in 1941. He served in the armed forces from 1941 to 1946, spending three years in Cardiff, Wales with the 713 Engineer Supply Depot. Ray was discharged in March of 1946 and was hired by the State of Kansas as the 4-H Club Agent for Gray County Kansas for two years.

Ray and Ann Eitzen were married in Longmont, CO on May 2nd, 1948. Ray was employed as a bookkeeper for a grain elevator in Ulysses, KS. In 1952 they purchased a floor covering business in Longmont with Ann’s parents, Sam and Helen Eitzen. Ray and Ann operated the store until after Ann’s death in 1981. Ray continued operating the business until 1983, when he retired. Ray did not retire, however. He was active in many things since then. He belonged to the Barbershoppers and sang with a quartet, the 4 K’s. Ray joined the Kiwanis Club of Longmont in 1954. He served as president in 1960, was appointed secretary of the club from 1971 to 1974, at which time he was elected to Lt. Governor for Division 2 of the Rocky Mountain District in 1974-1975, then was appointed as secretary again for his club, serving in that job until September 30, 2001. He was appointed in 1978 as secretary-treasurer of the Rocky Mountain District of Kiwanis International and served in that capacity until July 1981, receiving the distinguished secretary award from the district and Kiwanis International.

Ray was on the original board of directors on the Longmont Symphony and has served, at times, on the board since the symphony was started. Ray loved to sing and was in the SPEBSQSA-Barbershoppers, the Church Choir as well as singing for all the funeral homes and other places throughout the community.

Ray has been very active in the First United Methodist Church since moving to Longmont. He was the Building Fund Treasurer for the building of the present church, 1956-1959. Also for the addition that was added several years later. He served and chaired several committees such as finance and the trustees. The organ in the chapel is a memorial gift in memory of his wife Ann who was the church organist for 11 years.

Ray has received several awards from the community such as the “Gold Nugget” award given by KLMO radio for the Citizen of the Year. The Rotary “Four Way Test” Community Award, Distinguished Service Award from Kiwanis International, The George F. Hixon Fellow award given to him by the members of his club, the Kiwanis Club of Longmont. Ray was a volunteer for the Senior Center at the Twin Peaks Mall for several years, served on the friends for the senior center board of directors as well as being asked and serving on the 125th Anniversary Committee for the City of Longmont as parade chairman. He served for many years as the chairman or co-chairman for the Boulder County Fair Parade and was parade marshal more than once. His most recent award was the traveling trophy as the outstanding club secretary in the Rocky Mountain District, of Kiwanis International.

Ray is survived by his daughter Janet Kolb and husband Paul of Cooperstown, NY and his son Donald of Longmont, one granddaughter Melissa Phillips, four grandsons Michael and Bryan Kolb, Jason and Matthew Potter, two step-granddaughters Lynzie and Jazman and great grandchildren Cameron, Tristan, Jasmine and Lynnzi.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 29 at the Howe Mortuary in Longmont.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at the Heart of Longmont, First United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at Foothills Gardens of Memory.

Contributions in Ray’s memory are requested to the Heart of Longmont Church or the Kiwanis Club of Longmont Foundation.