Raymond E. Lounsberry passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Story County Senior Care in Nevada, Ia. Visitation will be Friday, November 22, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada, Ia., and funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. A graveside service will be held for the family following the service. Ray will be laid to rest at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery next to his beloved wife, Marilyn, and all three of their children.

The son of John and Anna Lounsberry, Ray was born on August 17, 1923, and grew up on a farm north of Colo, Ia., with his ten siblings.

Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII, attending boot camp at Camp Hill in Farragut, Id., and then attended gunnery school at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, Calif. From there, he served in the gun crew on a ship that transported troops in both the Pacific and Atlantic, spending the majority of the time in the Pacific. He was aboard one of the first troop ships into New York Harbor after V-J Day and remembers much celebration. The first call he made after he was given permission to go ashore was to his sweetheart in Nevada, Ia., Marilyn Smith. They were married ten days later on August 31, 1945, at the First United Methodist Church in Nevada.

Ray farmed land in Colo and Nevada from 1946 to 1994, when he retired. His first year of farming was done with the use of a team of horses but retired from farming using GPS-guided farm equipment. He took great pride in caring for the land and enjoyed the planting and harvesting times each year. From 1970 to 1991, Ray was a Pioneer seed salesman and was featured on Pioneer billboards across the nation.

During the 1950s and 60s, Ray also served as a boys and girls basketball official throughout Iowa. He was selected to officiate the boys' and girls' state tournaments numerous times. In 1982, he was inducted into the Officials Hall of Fame.

Ray was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion. He served as a director on the State Bank and Trust board for 18 years, also serving on the REC board in Marshall County and the Central Iowa Mutual Insurance Company board. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Nevada, Ia.

After retirement, Ray and Marilyn wintered in Mesa, Ariz., for 12 years. They both enjoyed giving of their time and resources to help others. They felt fortunate to count many people in Story County and beyond as friends. Their granddaughters, Katie Shaw and Rebekah Pelley, were their pride and joy. He loved when the girls and their families would visit the farm. He especially enjoyed playing with his great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Elizabeth.

For the final four years of his life, Ray was a resident at Story County Senior Care where he received excellent care by the wonderful staff. His favorite activities included Fitness Fun and Bingo.

Ray's granddaughters would like to thank the community for their love and friendship shown to Ray and Marilyn over the last century.

Ray was preceded in death by Marilyn and their three children, Tommy, Frank, and Signa. He is survived by his granddaughters, Katie Shaw and Rebekah Pelley, and their husbands, Andy Shaw and Paul Pelley, and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Elizabeth Pelley; a sister, Mary Anne Rymer; a sister-in-law, Dolores Lounsberry; many nieces and nephews; and friends.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with caring for Ray. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.