Jim Raney (Bolivar)'s Obituary
James (Jim) Raney, 82, was born on December 5, 1933 to Harvey (Red) Raney
and Hazel (McCracken) Raney. He passed away on March 25, 2016, at Parkview
Healthcare Facility in Bolivar.
He was a lifelong resident of Bolivar, graduating from BHS in 1952. He owned
and operated Raney's Texaco station on the NE corner of the square until leaving in
February 1956 to serve 2 years in the Army. His second year of duty he was selected and served in the Army Old Guard in Washington D.C. under President Eisenhower. He
was honored to be chosen to serve his country in that capacity.
In the summer of 1957 he flew home on a "leave". He captured his sweetheart,
Jean Hutcheson, and they married on August 10, 1957 in the Bolivar United Methodist
Church. They returned to D.C. for his final 6 months of duty.
Jim worked with his Dad in the Raney Oil Company business and the beef cattle
business. Later he and Jean started their own cattle business, which he loved.
Jim loved to hunt and traveled to Colorado every October to hunt and harvest
deer and elk. He and Jean traveled to Alaska 4 times where he hunted elk, caribou and
moose.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Harvey and Hazel Raney, mother-in-
law and father-in-law, Robert and Betty Hutcheson and a brother-in-law, Jim
Hutcheson.
Survivors include his wife, Jean, of 58 years, 3 daughters, Sheila Meador and Lisa
Pitts (Brad) of Bolivar, Abby Smith (Dan) of Swansea, IL, one son, Shane Raney (Kelly) of
Pittsburg, Mo., 3 sisters, Sue Hagar (Dave), Smithville, Mo, Frances Newman (Mel), Carl
Junction Mo, and Joan Sethna (Firoze), Springfield, MO., one brother, Joe Raney
(Valerie), Bolivar. Seven grandsons, seven granddaughters and 2 great granddaughters
survive. They are Meleah Black, Molly Carr, Vince Meador, Clara Rollins, David Pitts,
Ellen Pitts, Anna Pitts, Tyler Habiger, Boone Raney, Lance Raney, Cade Raney, Spencer
Smith, Morgan Smith, Caroline Smith, Payton Nutter and Coraline Black.
What’s your fondest memory of Jim ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jim ?
Share a story where Jim 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jim you’ll never forget.
How did Jim make you smile?
