AIS: Ray Keisling-Memorial

Cleatis Ray Keisling

June 22, 1933  July 19, 2004

 

Cleatis Ray Keisling, known to his many friends as Ray, passed away at
St. Lukes North Hospital on July 19, following an extended illness.

 

The son of Bethel Ray Keisling and Roxie Conner Keisling, Ray was born
in Byrdstown, TN on June 22, 1933. He moved to the Kansas City area
from Monroe, MI in 1984. He had a lifelong career in the photographic
industry. Prior to his retirement, he owned Keisco, a photographic
sales and services company in Liberty.

Ray had an avid interest in growing iris, and following his retirement
in 1996, grew thousands of iris on his 4 acres, which he called the
After Hours Iris Patch. He was a member of and tireless worker in the
Greater Kansas City Iris Society and the Pony Express Iris Society in
St. Joseph, MO.  He was active in the American Iris Society and was the
immediate past Regional Vice President in Kansas and Missouri for that
organization.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judy Crainer Keisling; two
sons, Donald Ray Keisling of Roanoke Rapids, NC and Kenneth Michael
Keisling of Geneva, IL; three daughters, Elizabeth Denice Lupcke of
Smyrna, GA, Pamela Louise Billings of Lees Summit, MO and Suzanne
Marie Keisling, 11 grandchildren and 3 brothers and 1 sister.

Ray will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved him. His
two cats, Dusty and Queenie who helped to comfort him during his
illness will miss him too.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 24 at 1 pm at McMurry
United Methodist Church, 25 Eugene Field, in Claycomo, MO.  Interment
will be at the Keisling family cemetery in Allons, TN.  Because Ray was
readily recognized by his trademark overalls, the family says that
overalls are optional at the service.


The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to
Abundant Life Baptist Church, 414 S.W. Persels Rd., Lee's Summit, MO
64081.  Or, for our iris friends to "AIS Region 18 - Youth Fund" c/o
Dennis Van Landuyt,Treasurer, 14936 Sale Barn Road, Versailles, MO 5565
to perpetuate the Youth Award Fund
John                | "There be dragons here"
                          |  Annotation used by ancient cartographers
                          |  to indicate the edge of the known world.

List owner iris@hort.net and iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
________________________________________________
USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay)
Fremont, California, USA
Director, American Iris Society
Chairman, AIS Committee for Electronic Member Services

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