Ray Allan Cothern, 86, of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Hedrick Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on October 31, 1937, in Wichita, Kansas, Ray was the son of Iro A. Cothern and Lucille Lux Cothern. He attended schools in Kansas and Chillicothe, graduating from Moberly High School in 1955. He earned a business degree from what is now Truman University. Ray’s career included a stint in sales at J.C. Penney before he retired from Walmart. He served in the Army from 1961 to 1963.
On June 5, 1971, he married Elizabeth Ann Schooler in Fairfax, Missouri. Ray was an active member of the Chillicothe Methodist Church, the Wesley Foundation in Kirksville, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family and friends from Walmart.
Survivors include his wife, Ann; son, Christopher Ray Cothern (Barbie) of Chillicothe; daughter, Julie Ann Condron (Aaron) of Chillicothe; four grandchildren: Caitlyn Marie Cothern, Cayleb Christopher Cothern, Ellie Rayann Condron, and Audrey Claire Condron; nephew, Gary Ray Taylor (Robin) of Columbia, Missouri; sister-in-law, Jane Hausman (Mark) of St. Joseph, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Iro and Lucille; sister, Lois Taylor; and brothers-in-law, Ed Taylor and Dale Bennington.
Family visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 11 a.m., also at Heritage Funeral Home.
Instead of flowers, memorials in honor of Ray may be made to the Chillicothe United Methodist Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Burial will take place at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Chillicothe, Missouri.
Arrangements are under the care of Heritage Funeral Home.
