Ray Chambers

Raymond Joe Chambers, 85, of Lacona, Iowa, passed away September 15, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. A rosary will be held Friday, September 20th at 4:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Lacona, followed by visitation from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A private burial service will be held at a later date with interment in the Lacona Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lacona Catholic Church or the Lacona Fire Department.
Ray was born December 22, 1938, near Melcher, Iowa, the youngest child of Anna Belle (Allen) and Earl Chambers. He was raised in Lacona. Attended Lacona Public School and graduated from Des Moines Technical High School. On June 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to Clarice Loretta Wallace at Rosemount Catholic Church. One son and four daughters were born to this union.
While living in Prairie City and Milo, Iowa, he worked in Des Moines and was a part-time carpenter evenings and weekends. He was a Cub Scoutmaster and Webelos Scout Leader and a trustee for St. Augustine's Catholic Church. Moving back to Lacona in 1975, he began farming in addition to working in Des Moines. His career in insurance had begun in the mailroom at Hawkeye Security and United Security Insurance Company where he retired as an Assistant Vice President in 1996 after 40 years of service. After only four days of retirement, he accepted the position and served as Executive Director of the Iowa FAIR Plan for 14 years, retiring again in 2010.
Ray enjoyed Sprint Car Races, taking his grandchildren to many Sprint Car Nationals in Knoxville. His spare time was spent camping, flea markets, gardening, collecting tractors and farm toys. He attended the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa for 35 years straight. He enjoyed cars, antique and newer and had owned many during his lifetime.
Ray is survived by his wife of 66 years, Clarice; son, Rick (Dianne) of Lacona; four daughters: Raylene (Steve) Bush of Orient, Carla Chambers, Cheri (Todd) Ripperger, and Connie (Gary) Neer all of Indianola; seven grandchildren and their children: Daren (Logan) Chambers and their sons: Wallace and Hiatt, Brandon Henry and his sons: Treyce, Kashtyn, and Legynd; Amber (Aaron) Becker; Allison (Alan Imm) Ripperger and their daughter, Bella; Madison (Michael) Farland and their children: Benzlee and Avionna; Jared (Allison) Neer and their sons: Tripp and Tucker; Justin (Ashlee Broughton) Neer and their daughter MacKinlee; along with many relatives and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by a brother Harlen (Dale) Chambers; sister-in-law, Loretta Chambers; and two sisters: Helen Downey and Letha Hockensmith.