Raymond Edward Cline, 78, of Niangua MO, formally of Helena and St. Joseph, MO, returned home to his heavenly father on July 1st, 2024, while surrounded by his family.
Raymond was born at home October 18th, 1945 to Morris and Birdie (DeWeese) Cline in Dekalb, MO. They preceded him in death.
Raymond found love with Charlotte Frost. They were married on February 14th, 1993, in Weston, MO. She survives him of the home.
Raymond moved from Dekalb to the family farm in Helena, MO, in the 4th grade. He spent many years learning hard work on the farm but focused his free time on football, to which he excelled, at Savannah High School. It is fair to say he worked hard and played hard his entire life.
Raymond worked at Dugdale Packing Co. but soon found his livelihood as a heavy equipment operator working through the years for Lock Construction, the Local 101 Operating Engineers, and The International Union of Operating Engineers.
Raymond loved his family and friends and looked forward to each gathering. His favorite events were the families' annual fall weenie roast, a tradition which started as his birthday celebration, and the annual July homemade ice cream social. His presence will be missed when they gather for ice cream later this month. His specialty was homemade coffee ice cream.
Raymond never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. Throughout his life, whether it be at school, at work, racing at Savannah Speedway, on the CB radio, or at the local general store, he made a friend and had a story to tell.
No matter what brought him to it, he enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman who early in life enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and trap shooting. He also loved to garden and share the produce he grew and canned. He was a lifelong animal lover who spent his retirement years on the farm raising Black Angus cattle and German short-hair pointers.
Raymond was a member of the Helena Lions Club and the Missouri Trap Shooters Association. Raymond was an excellent shot and loved to shoot in both competition and in the backyard with friends and family.
The only thing he loved more than the outdoors was his family.
Along with his loving wife, Raymond is survived by his daughters Brenda (Bruce Dunn) Tritten, Helena, MO; Amy (Mike Shelton) Cline-Shelton, St. Joseph, MO, Sara Berry, Galt, MO, and his bonus children Tina Johnson, Republic, MO, and Jeff (Kerri) Ury, Urbandale, IA.
Grandchildren Andrew Tritten, Garet Cline, Dakota (Katie) Shelton, Gentry Cline, Colt Berry, Megan (Connor) Kimsey, Nicholas Johnson, Kaitlyn Ury and Jocelyn Ury. As well as 8 great-grandchildren.
Additional survivors include brothers Eugene (Helen) Cline, St. Joseph, MO, Herbert (Liz) Cline, Savannah, MO, sisters Betty Gill, Stewartsville, MO; Martha White, Grandview, MO; Susan (Jim) Parker, Kirksville, MO. Sister-in-law, Barbara (Carl) Landes, St. Joseph, MO; Brother-in-law, Wendel (Ella) Frost, Cleveland, TN. As well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Raymond was proceeded in death by his stepdaughter, Wendy (DeShon) Kirschbaum, a granddaughter; Samantha Vaughn; brother, Amos John "AJ" Cline; sisters, Marceas Reents and Nina Bouge all of St Joseph, MO. His father in-law and mother in-law, Marvin and Marjorie Frost, Gallatin, MO; And his most loyal canine companion, Lacy.
He leaves behind the most loyal group of friends who became like family at Hannah's General Store. Chances are, if he wasn't at home, you could find him having coffee and telling stories at Hannah's.
Raymond had a huge personality, and his passing clearly leaves a void. Now, we celebrate his life and legacy and can honor him with continued storytelling.
The family will receive friends and loved ones on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Heaton Bowman Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel in St. Joseph, MO.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, at 2:00 pm at the Heaton Bowman Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel in St. Joseph, MO.
Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetary.
