Richard Spray (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Richard Dewey Spray, son of Dewey and Rose Lowe Spray, was born May 2, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa. He departed this life Monday, December 14, 2015, in his home, near Phillipsburg, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years, seven months, and twelve days.
On October 24, 1947, he was united in marriage to Vyonne June Herbst, and to this union two daughters and two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of sixty-three years, Vyonne; a grandson, Ryan Spray; a brother, Ed Spray; and two sisters, Millie Gibson, and Edna Tyler.
Richard is survived by two daughters, Jeanine Willis, of Springfield, Missouri, and Laurie McGhee, of Des Moines, Iowa; two sons, Terry Spray, and his wife, Sheila, of Phillipsburg, Missouri, and Tim Spray, of the country of Laos; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and then served his country faithfully in the United States Marine Corps. After he and Vyonne were married, they made their home in the Des Moines, Iowa area and lovingly raised their family. For thirty years, Richard was employed as a lineman and truck driver for the Iowa Power and Light Company. Once he and Vyonne retired, they made their home in the Lebanon, Missouri area off and on for the last thirty years.
Richard followed the Pentecostal faith throughout his life.
In his spare time he enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activities were hunting and fishing. He enjoyed traveling to Texas in the winter, and liked making trips to the Branson area and Silver Dollar City. He was also a big Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He was a man’s man that was tough and always steadfast in his convictions. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Richard was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
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