Funeral services for Ray C. Newell, 96, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Friday, November 5, 2021, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A visitation will be Thursday, November 4, 2021, from 6-7 pm.
Ray passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born December 24, 1924, in Ozawkie, the son of Carl “Shorty” Henry Newell and Mary “Liz” Elizabeth (Ray) Newell. He completed his diploma from the Lawrence Public Schools after serving in the US Army from 1943-1945.
Ray worked in multiple fields but was particularly proud of the time he spent as a book binder at the Lawrence Journal World and Lawrence Printing Service, where he was foreman. He would often mention with pride how he worked as a book binder for 53-years.
He was a devoted member of the First Assembly of God Church (now 360 Church) all his life. He was an usher, church bus driver, Sunday school super intendent, and devoted board member. He never missed a Sunday if he could help it.
Ray married Dorthey J. Anderson on June 17, 1951, in Lawrence, at First Assembly of God Church. She preceded him in death December 18, 2003, after 52 wonderful years of marriage.
His survivors include four daughters, Sondra Banta (Chris), of Lee Summit, and Darla Jacobs, Denise Posey (James), and Karla Westphal (Matt), all of Lawrence; 6 grandsons, Jason Jacob (Jennifer), Matt Jacobs, Benji Jacobs, and Taylor Posey, all of Lawrence, Michael Jacobs (Stephanie), of Cameron, and Andrew Banta (Laura) stationed at an Air Force base in Japan; 3 granddaughters Heather Bazen (Jason), of Phoenix, Emily Jacobs, of Kansas City, and Megan Posey of Tulsa; 15 great grandchildren; and 1 great, great grandchild.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother Benjamin W Newell, and sister Katherine M Percifield.
He was a farm boy who enjoyed country music, vegetable gardening, playing guitar, and cowboy movies. His other passions included collecting cars, NASCAR, WWE, dad jokes, and going to McDonalds to have coffee with the gang. A proud sand rat, Ray lived in North Lawrence for over 50 years. Ray was a devoted family man who enjoyed family trips to Branson every year from 1964-2000. He loved Silver Dollar City, his country music shows, and frog legs. He loved his role as a father, grandfather, and great grandfather- he never missed birthdays, holidays or major events within his families lives if he could help it.
The family suggests memorials to 360 Church and Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.
