Lee C. Ray's Obituary
Lee C. Ray, one of fourteen children, was born December 15, 1934 in Camdenton, Missouri to George Seigal Ray and Ada Lucritia Osbourne Ray. He passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehab in Lebanon, Missouri. He was ninety-one years, three months and twenty-eight days of age.
Lee grew up in Camdenton and graduated from Camdenton High School. On October 6, 1953, Lee joined the United States Army and faithfully served his country. Following his time in the service, Lee went on to college where he earned his engineering degree.
On June 30, 1956, he was united in marriage to Crystal Carolyn Collier. She passed away October 20, 2013.
Lee was a Design Engineer and began his career in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and then went to Ohio and Rhode Island. He completed his career at McDonnell Douglas in St. Charles, Missouri where he worked for several years. He greatly enjoyed his career as a Design Engineer and was proud to have served on the team that developed projects for NASA and on fighter jet projects. He retired and moved to Lebanon in 2000 and enjoyed arrowhead hunting and being in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks once again.
Lee is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Crystal Carolyn Ray; his siblings, Virgil, Junior, Burley Warren, Irene, Virginia, Leonard, Larry Eugene, Anna May, Hazel, Dale, Alberta, Lucy and George Robert.
On June 28, 2014, Lee was united in marriage to Rosa “Polly” Foreman.
In addition to Polly, he is survived by his children, Scott Ray and his wife Karen of St. Charles, Missouri, Shawn Ray and his wife Jana of St. Charles, Missouri, Jennifer Ray and her husband Mark Daniel of Cottleville, Missouri, Judith Warner of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Diana Eul and her husband Mark of Springfield, Missouri, David Foreman and his wife Terry of Eldridge, Missouri and Keith Foreman and his wife Abby of Eldridge, Missouri; his grandchildren, Alexandra Ray, Kristen Ray, Cassidy Ray; Heather Dalton, Alex Foreman, Rachel Hassani, Hannah Hassani, Stephen Foreman, Allie Foreman and Eli Foreman; and a number of great-grandchildren.
While living in St. Charles, Lee drove a Sunday School bus for twelve years. After moving to Lebanon, Lee joined Community Baptist Church where he served as deacon and was active in other areas of the church. He looked forward to worshipping with his church family and singing. His faith and love for his Heavenly Father was at the center of his life and he was ready to meet Jesus.
He was active at the Hughes Senior Center and had many friends there. Lee also enjoyed ordering things off Amazon. Lee enjoyed woodworking and making furniture and drawing.
As we reflect on Lee’s life, we celebrate a life lived to the fullest, marked by an enduring commitment to service and a profound love for his family and community. His was a life that exemplified leadership, kindness and a zest for adventure that will continue to inspire all who knew him. Lee’s memory will be treasured forever in the hearts of his family, friends and the many lives he touched.
Services for Lee Ray will be Thursday, April 16 at 10 a.m. at Community Baptist Church with Pastor Allen Reeves officiating.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening, April 15, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Holman-Howe Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Mountain Creek Cemetery.
A memorial to Ethnos 360 has been established and donations may be left at the funeral home.
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