Vaughn "Parke" Ray, age 83, of Nevada, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2014, at Central Presbyterian Church in Nevada. Pastor Ian McMullen officiated, with burial in Maxwell Cemetery, Maxwell, Iowa. Military honors will be conducted by the Maxwell American Legion Post No. 249. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday at Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada, Iowa, with Masonic Services at 6:30 p.m. Condolences may be sent online to www.chetryanmortuary.com.
Born November 22, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa, Vaughn Parker Ray was the son of Vaughn and Josephine (Parker) Ray. He grew up and attended school in Maxwell, graduating from Maxwell Community High School in 1948.
On August 21, 1949, Parke married Marilyn Holsinger at the First Presbyterian Church in Maxwell, Iowa. Parke served in the United States Army from 1951-53, then returned to Iowa where he worked several years with his father at Rays' Hardware Store in Maxwell. He was employed in the plumbing and hardware industry until his retirement and drove the school bus in Maxwell for many years. In retirement, he drove for the Nevada school district as well as working part-time at Menard's.
Parke was an avid sports fan. He especially enjoyed transporting school kids on the team bus to sporting events throughout the area. Being with the younger generation helped keep him young at heart. In earlier years Parke enjoyed golfing, hunting, and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; three children, Kyle (Alvin) Ray-Ceplecha of Nevada, Lori (Dennis) Mensing of Nevada, and Sterling (Elaine) Ray of Altoona; five grandchildren, Derek Ceplecha, Michael Mensing and Megan Mensing, all of Nevada, Eric (Billi) Ray of Ankeny, and Tamera (Andrew) Shivers of Bondurant; eight great-grandchildren, Tanre and James Ray, Brayden, Chloe, Conner, and Rylee Shivers, and Alexander and Rebecca Ceplecha; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Jane Ann Ray.
Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada was entrusted with the care of Parke and his family.