Ray Arth, 96, of Marshall, Missouri, died Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Our Lady of Mercy Country Home in Liberty, Missouri.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Marshall with Fr. Francis Doyle officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral. Burial with military rites will be at the Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery in Higginsville. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church or Our Lady of Mercy Country Home in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.
The youngest of seven, Ray was born on June 17, 1928, near Dover, MO, the son of George F. and Katherine (Long) Arth. He was a 1946 graduate of Mercy Academy in Marshall.
Ray joined the United States Air Force in 1949 and served in Japan and Korea during the Korean War. Before the war began, Ray was a member of the Air Force baseball team in Japan. He was a staff sergeant in the 6401st Field Maintenance Unit, transferring from Japan to Korea six days after the war started. He served two 6-month tours in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1953. Upon returning to the United States, Ray owned and operated Tygart and Arth Body Shop, later becoming Arths’ Body Shop, in Marshall until his retirement.
On May 20, 1954, Ray married Betty Guthrie at St. Peter Catholic Church. Ray was a lifelong member of St. Peter and took great pride in being a member of the “Holy Mowers”, taking care of yard maintenance at the church for many years. He was very patriotic, and was a 37-year member of the American Legion Post #558 of Malta Bend. Ray was proud and excited to be chosen to go on the Missouri Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington, D. C. in September, 2010. He was also a member of the Corder Lion’s Club, a board member of the Marshall Senior Center for several years, and a longtime volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He will be known for his love of farming, Royals baseball, college basketball and football, golfing, horseshoe pitching, card playing, but especially for his love of family.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 67 years, Betty, and his siblings: Louis, Elaine, Kenny, Bob, George, and Margaret who died in infancy.
Ray is survived by his two children, Karen (Tom) Prichard, of Kansas City, and Doug (Joan) of Kearney; grandchildren, Stephanie (Daniel) Ramirez of Liberty, and Brian (Maggie) Prichard of Northfield, Minnesota; and great grandchildren, Owen and Mia Ramirez, and numerous nieces and nephews.