Ray E. Proctor

Ray Proctor, son of the late B.J. and Ethel (Ross) Proctor, was born on May 19, 1929 in Denlow, Missouri, and departed this life on September 24, 2016 in Mountain Grove.

Ray grew up in Douglas County, Missouri, and attended grade school at Denlow and high school at Mountain Grove. As a boy, he loved rolling down hills, especially when his mother had him dressed up in his white shirt. He also enjoyed riding horses and playing baseball with his friends.

Ray joined the United States Army in 1951, and attained the rank of Sergeant. He spent 13 months on Heartbreak Ridge while serving in the Korean War. Ray was extremely proud to be a veteran and to have served his country.

He was united in marriage to LaVeta Robinett on January 11, 1957, in Hernando, Mississippi. Four children were born to this union: Tammie, David, Susan, and Julie.

Ray worked for many years as a lineman for Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative. He loved to farm and spent time farming throughout his entire life. He enjoyed going to the lake with his family and loved to fish. He also loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He enjoyed coaching his kids ball teams and would never miss one of their activities. Ray was a lifetime member of the VFW in Mountain Grove. He was also a member of the First Christian Church.

Ray helped organize the Mountain Grove Sideliners Club and was a charter member. He greatly enjoyed the fishing trips and fish fry events they had as fundraisers. In the 1970s, he assisted with a new lighting system at the Mountain Grove football stadium. He was still on the light pole that night when the lights came on for the first time at the football game.

Besides his parents, Ray was preceded in death by two brothers: Jack Proctor and Van Proctor.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years: LaVeta Proctor, one son: David Proctor and Robin Staples of Eminence, Missouri; three daughters: Tammie Watson and John Shores of Mountain Grove, Suzy Roark and her husband, Gary, of Mountain Grove, and Julie Thompson and her husband, Mike, of Mountain Grove; eight grandchildren: Amy Watson, Chad Watson and his wife, Lisa, BJ Proctor and his wife, Rosanna, Ashley Duey and her husband, Ryan, Shane Roark and his wife, Shai, Ross Roark, Brittani Pamperien and her husband, Tim, and LaTasha Romine and her husband, Dan; 17 great-grandchildren and one on the way. He is also survived by his twin sister: Faye Scherer of Mountain Grove. Ray will be missed by many other friends and family who knew and loved him.


Visitation: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the First Christian Church, Mountain Grove.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the First Christian Church, Mountain Grove.

Burial: Denlow Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: Denlow Cemetery or the Mountain Grove Alumni Park in care of the funeral home.