Charles Raymond Larson Sr.

FUNERAL HOME

Maple Hill Funeral Home

3300 Shawnee Drive

Kansas City, Kansas

Charles Larson Obituary

Charles Raymond "Ray" Larson, Sr., 94, of Kansas City, Kan., passed away September 27, 2009, at his home. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Sterner) Larson; sister Grace King; brothers Hank, Fred, Bus and Pete, and his wife of 66 years, Willie - the love of his life. He will be sadly missed by his sons Charlie (Karen) of Golden Valley, Minn., and Jerry of Lenexa, Kan.; granddaughters Becky (David) Showalter of Olathe, Kan., Susan (David) Reynolds of Jacksonville, Ore., Melissa (Eryc) Larson-Reese of Olathe, Kan., and Amy Larson of Denver, Colo.; grandson Christopher Larson of Olathe, Kan.; sisters Mary Bogardus of Santa Rosa, Calif., Darlene Lovich of Kansas City, Kan.; brothers Kenneth of Hastings, Mich., and Robert of Kansas City, Kan.; four great- grandsons and many friends. Ray grew up in the Argentine area of Kansas City, Kan., and lived there his whole life. He survived the tough job market of the Great Depression and found employment at Procter and Gamble. Ray retired from Proctor and Gamble in 1975. He worked there for 32 years in production and as a millwright. During his working years, Ray enjoyed pheasant- hunting, fishing for catfish, working with Boy Scouts, coaching baseball, growing a beard for special occasions and dancing polkas with Willie. Ray was skilled with many tools and enjoyed woodworking projects - building decks, furniture, dollhouses and puzzles. After retiring, his horizons expanded as he and Willie traveled extensively, visiting Alaska, Europe, and Mexico many times and going on cruises. Ray was active in the Masons, the Shrine, his church, and the P&G retirees group. He drove a miniature fire-wagon in parades, sold nuts during the holiday season, wore Uncle Sam and Dalmatian costumes, called bingo at the Shrine Temple, sang in the church choir and was known for solos of "Amazing Grace". Ray was a great brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be missed until we see him again. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2009, at Maple Hill Funeral Home. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, October 2, at the funeral home, with a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the United Church of The Good Shepherd, 3500 Dodson, Kansas City, KS 66106 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Abdallah Shrine Temple, 5300 Metcalf Ave., Shawnee Mission, KS 66202. The family would like to thank ComForCare staff and Good Shepherd Hospice for their caring help with Ray at home. (Arr.: Maple Hill Funeral Home, 913-831-3345.)

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Published by Kansas City Star from Sep. 30 to Oct. 1, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Larson

8 Entries

October 4, 2009

Jerry and Melissa: I am very sorry for the lose of your father and grandfather. He will be saddly missed by family and friends.

Jim Jay - Overland Park, KS

Sue Reich

October 2, 2009

Ray was my Uncle for 68 years. Got to know him better as the years rolled by. He and "BUS" my dad, were both characters and went through a lot. Told jokes, musical, talented in their own ways. Resembled each other a great deal. Well Ray, you are up there with the others you loved and loved you. Bless you, it was great knowing you all these years. By the way, Uncle Ray, thanks for taking care of my purse for me at the 2009 all class reunion (AHS) at Harmon high school for me. Will miss seeing you in the UCGS choir and all the family activities. Take care fella, lv ya, Sue (Larson) Reich

marilyn and dan durgan

October 2, 2009

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Kathie Shively

October 1, 2009

I had the privelege of getting to know Ray over the last 1 1/2 years. My thanks to Jerry, Charlie, & the rest of the family for sharing him with me. I loved hearing all of the stories from the depression era, the '51 flood and most of all about all of the wonderful times spent with the love of his life Willie. I think I will miss hearing Ray sing most of all; he had such a beautiful voice.

You are now at home with God & Wille and singing in the heavenly choir.

Ray - Please put in a good word for me. ;-}

Becky Bogardus Weislow

September 30, 2009

What can I say except that he was one of a kind. He loved to tell his jokes and entertain the whole family. Having grown up a distance from Kansas, visits with our aunts, uncles, and cousins were rare. We were fortunate to have Jerry, Amy, and Melissa bring Uncle Ray to California for a visit a few years back. What a kick he was!! And he was so delighted to make people smile and laugh. Now he can be the one to smile and laugh with sweet Aunt Willie once again. He will be greatly missed.

Frann Buckley/Marple

September 30, 2009

I am sorry to hear of Uncle Ray's passing. "Willie" was my Aunt Wilma, who was my dad's sister. Uncle Ray was a great and fun guy. I will always think fondly of them both in the days to come.

September 30, 2009

Uncle Ray was my favorite uncle. I fondly remember him taking me for rides in the fire wagon when we visited him and Aunt Wilma. I hadn't seen him in many years. Charlie, Jerry and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Jeanne Nicholls Mueller
(your cousin, Aunt Dorothy's youngest daughter).

Ron & Connie Perkins

September 30, 2009

Our hearts are saddened at the loss of Ray, "our drop of Golden Sun." We will always remember him at choir, our praise team, his love of singing and his uplifting stories. And how much he loved Willie. He's been ready to meet her again and we're happy that they are again reunited. He will be greatly missed.

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