Ray Caraker

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ray Caraker, 74, a resident of Hallsville, Mo. since 2006 and a former resident of Harrisburg and Vienna, passed away at 3:53 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, at his home in Hallsville, Mo.

Ray was born April 14, 1935, in the Buncombe community, Johnson County. He was the son of Charles and Ida (Thornton) Caraker.

Ray was united in marriage to Joyce Whitehead on June 24, 1955, at the Vienna First Christian Church.

In addition to his wife, Ray is survived by a daughter, Tammy of Moreno Valley, Calif.; a son, Chad (Susan) of Columbia, Mo.; three grandchildren, Charlie of Moreno Valley, Calif., Jessica and Caleb of Columbia, Mo.; and a sister, Maryann Snyder of Tulsa, Okla.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis Dee and T.J. Caraker; and a sister, Paula Price.

Ray was a 1952 graduate of Vienna High School. From 1958-1960, Ray served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany.

Ray began his working career as a dispatcher with the New York Central (Penn Central/Conrail) Railroad in 1952. He was employed as a railroad agent, retiring in 1984. Following his retirement, Ray worked as an independent insurance agent and later worked for Williams and Associates Insurance Agency.

Ray was a member of the Harrisburg First Christian Church.

He loved people and visiting with everyone. Ray especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, who were the loves of his life. He also enjoyed football and was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Ray loved listening to music and especially enjoyed Gaither Homecoming gospel music.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at the Harrisburg First Christian Church, 20 S. Webster St., Harrisburg. Brother Howard Scott will officiate. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery near Buncombe. Military graveside rites will be accorded. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Harrisburg First Christian Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice Compassus, 3050 I-70 Drive SE, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65201 or to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, 115 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, Mo. 65201.