T. Ray Ely (Hartville)'s Obituary
Truman Ray Ely, lifelong Hartville native in the Little Creek community, departed this earthly life shortly before midnight December 4, 2014, at Hartville Care Center at the age of 91 years, 5 months, and 6 days.
As the only child of Lee and Mary Ely, who preceded him in death, he was born June 28, 1923. The story told many times by his father was that after a very difficult birth due to his birth weight of over 12 lbs., the question was asked to the doctor of what was owed to him for the house call baby delivery. He looked out the window and pointed to a nice 500 lb. steer and said, “Just give me the money when you sell him.” Shortly afterward he was sold and brought the grand total of $6.00!
He attended Little Creek rural school through 8th grade and graduated from Hartville High School in the class of 1942.
On May 1, 1949, he married Ruby Marie Kingery who was teaching at Little Creek School after they had met at Little Creek Baptist Church. They began their married life at the farm where he was born and grew up. They became the parents of twin sons, Donald Ray and Ronald Lee in 1952. At the hospital at their birth, he said “Now I’ve got 2 tractor drivers.” They grew up helping their father in all the operations of a farm and learned many lifelong lessons from him including the love of living and working on a farm and the enjoyment of a hard day’s accomplishments, along with all of the beauty of nature and the animals in the Ozarks. He enjoyed visits with his family and friends and never met a stranger. He was a lifelong farmer, raising beef cattle and milking a small herd of dairy cattle until the dairy herd buyout in 1987. He enjoyed gardening and always had a very large “truck patch” of about 2 acres of sweet corn, sweet potatoes and potatoes which his sons say always seemed to have to be dug during the hottest week in July, and always had a cellar full of food for the winter. We joke that he was happy when he had 2 years’ worth of wood, hay, and potatoes. He lived and worked on the farm until a spinal cord injury fall in March, 2001 which resulted in his having to become a resident of Hartville Care Center till his death. The family very much appreciates the good and loving care they gave to him for almost 14 years while a resident there.
Ray was saved at an early age and baptized in Little Creek on land still owned by the family. He was a member of Little Creek Church and several years at Hartville Baptist Church. He served as church clerk, song leader, and associational treasurer for several years. He would have liked for everyone attending his funeral to consider the following; “Remember friend, as you pass by, as you are now so once was I. As I am now, soon you will be. Prepare my friend, for eternity.”
He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Ruby, of the home, son Don and wife Jackie of Hartville, son Ron and wife Beverly of Marshfield, three granddaughters, children of Don: Danna Lee Fields and husband Ron of Fayetteville, Ar., twins Dawnell Grant and husband Keith of Bella Vista, AR, Danae Stephens and husband Aaron of Harrison, AR; three grandsons, children of Ron: Christopher Ely and wife Brandi of Branson, Michael Ely and wife Trisha of Linn, Aaron Ely and wife Rachel of Long Island, NY, eleven great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established to Wright County Children Home, in care of
Holman-Howe Funeral Home. P. O. Box 236. Hartville, Mo. 65667
What’s your fondest memory of T. Ray?
What’s a lesson you learned from T. Ray?
Share a story where T. Ray's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with T. Ray you’ll never forget.
How did T. Ray make you smile?
