Raymond Earl Pyles

Raymond "Ray" Earl Pyles 80, of Atchison, Kansas, entered into heaven peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 4, 2024. He was born September 20, 1943 in DeKalb, MO, son of Lora Belle and Ernest Pyles. He attended DeKalb High School. In 1973 he enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served his country, and later with the Army National Guard until 1983. He married Karen Comer on July 4, 1981 in Weston, MO. Ray was a lifelong farmer, he as well worked at Sur-Gro in Weston, and in his younger days, he also worked for Midwest Grain in Atchison. Ray loved his family and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. He loved farming tobacco, his cattle, and he especially loved his two dogs, Roscoe and Daisy. He enjoyed being outside, tinkering at the farm, fishing, and telling family stories. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Marie Johnson, Omer, Ernest Jr., Bernard, Bobby, and Chestine Pyles. Survivors include: his wife, Karen Pyles of the home, children: Raymond (Paula) Pyles II of Topeka, KS, Lora (Brent) Martz of Oklahoma City, OK, Michele Langley of Oklahoma City, OK, Matthew (Brenda) Pyles of Atchison, KS, and Heather Burford of Grain Valley, MO: former wife, Wilma Darlene Airington of Oklahoma City, OK, 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the Rupp Funeral Home in St. Joseph, MO. The Interment will be at the Sugar Creek Cemetery in Rushville, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer's Association or Ray Pyles Memorial Fund, c/o Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences, obituary and public live stream at www.ruppfuneral.com.