Raymond "Ray" Earl Pyles, 80, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024 at his home. He was born September 20, 1943 in Dekalb, MO, son of Lora Belle and Ernest Pyles. He attended Dekalb High School. In 1973, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served his country, and later with the Army National Guard until 1983. He married Karen Comer on July 4, 1981 in Weston, MO. Ray was a lifelong farmer, and he also had worked at Midwest Grain in Atchison, Sur-Gro in Weston. He loved farming and his animals especially his cows, was an avid outdoorsman, especially enjoyed fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and was an avid horseshoe player. He had formerly served on the board of Burley Tobacco Company. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Omer, Ernest Jr., Bernard, Bobby, and Ralph Pyles, and sister, Marie Johnson. Survivors include: wife, Karen Pyles of the home, children, Raymond (Paula) Pyles II of Topeka, KS, Lora (Brent) Martz of Oklahoma City, OK, Michele Langley of Oklahoma City, OK, Matthew (Brenda) Pyles of Atchison, KS, and Heather Burford of Grain Valley, MO, former wife, Wilma Darlene Airington of Oklahoma City, OK, 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the Rupp Funeral Home, The Interment will be at the Sugar Creek Cemetery in Rushville, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer's Association or Ray Pyles Memorial Fund, c/o Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences, obituary and public live stream at www.ruppfuneral.com.
