Obituary - Raymond Paul Toates
Raymond Paul Toates went to see his Savior, whom he trusted as a young boy, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. He was born December 10, 1934, to Edythe and William Toates on the family homestead in Colman, South Dakota. He was the oldest of seven children and worked on the farm with his parents and family. In 1969 he moved his wife and four daughters to southwest Missouri to start a new career. He worked for Springfield City Utilities for 27 years and was supervisor in Water and Meter Service, retiring in 1998.
Ray and LaNell married in 1977 and celebrated their 40th anniversary on April 2nd. He adopted her three children and loved them as his own.
His best and most important work was loving and raising a family of faith. We were all his favorites! He loved to tell a good joke, discuss politics or latest book he had read, and convinced us of health and nutrition discoveries that would keep us well. He showed us by example how to live a godly life and was always encouraging his family to do the right thing. He enjoyed the outdoors, working with his hands, singing in the choir for many years, listening to his wife play the piano, gardening, traveling, and most of all he enjoyed being surrounded by his large family.
He was preceded in death by his dad in 1994 and his 101 year old mother on April 23, 2017, while he was in the hospital. He said when he heard the news, “Oh Momma, you’re better off than I am.” Also his brother John and daughter Jeanne R. Fuller.
He is survived by his wife, six children and their spouses; Deborah Brown (Llewellyn), Patricia McMullen (Steven), Sandra Rhoades (Richard), Kim Deren (Mike), Aaron Toates (Karen), and Phillip Toates (Whitney), and son-in-law Ed Fuller (Beth); 24 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Ray is also survived by his siblings; Joseph Toates (Georgianna), Lois Fahl (Joe), Helen Adams (Jim), Betty Powers (Paul), and Phyllis Smith (Dan). Sister-in-law and brothers-in-law Martha and Glenn Sutherland and Jim Martin.
There will be a private family burial at Rosedale Valley Memorial Gardens, Nixa, MO, at 10:00 am on May 19, followed by a memorial service at Seminole Baptist Temple, Springfield, MO, at 11:00 am.