1924
Francis
2020
Francis "Ray" Cain
December 23, 1924 — December 9, 2020
A Tribute to Dad:
Ray Cain, of Independence, MO (our dad) passed away peacefully in his home December 9, 2020.
Dad was born in Key West, Florida to Madora and John Cain on December 23, 1924. John was a career navy officer, so dad grew up on Navy bases all over the country. We believe that this contributed to his love of traveling. He and his younger sister, Madora Belle Kramer, reminisced often of their days in Hawaii and California.
Dad enlisted in the Army during WWII. He had originally tried to enlist in the Navy like his dad but it was discovered that he could only see out of one eye, due to a birth defect.
Dad met Velma Muirhead in 1948 at the Stone Church, where they married on May 5, 1950. Mom came from Canada on a visa so she could attend the Independence Sanitarium School of Nursing.
After Mom and Dad were married, he was recalled into service during the Korean War. They spent their first year of marriage in Texas where he was stationed. He worked on B-29’s and developed a passion for planes.
After discharge from the Army, Dad attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. He graduated with a degree in Business. He was a proud alumnus and attended many reunions.
Mom and Dad started a family in 1951 when Deborah Rae was born. Cynthia Sue was born in 1954 and Laurence John in 1962.
Dad worked at the Marley Cooling Tower company for over 30 years. He was a pioneer of his time, converting the traffic department data from paper to computer. Dad was a snazzy dresser and received the nick name of the ‘Johnny Carson’ of Marley.
The Community of Christ Church had a big impact on Dad's life. He served as an Elder, attending the Pleasant Heights Congregation for many years (now known as Good Shepherd), teaching classes and assisting the in work of the church in any way he was asked. Dad was a guide at the Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio and The Temple in Independence, MO. Dad and Mom both volunteered as cooks for Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer. They belonged to the Laurel Club and were “Ambassadors for Peace” for the World Church.
Dad was a lover of music. He had a record collection that he had started in high school. Music was always played at home and it was always loud. After Mom and Dad retired, they traveled extensively, from camping in a pop-up camper to cruising the world. They took many trips with family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he felt it was his privilege to be the caregiver for Mom for 10 years, during her health struggles. He was also an avid historian and wrote several books on his genealogy. As he got older and his vision worsened, he didn't give up his passion, but was able to continue working by having 3 monitors on his desk.
In 2017 Dad was lucky enough to fly to Washington, DC on the Heartland Honor Flight. He was deeply touched, as the veterans received a hero’s welcome at the airport when they landed.
Dad had many friends and he was a good friend to many.
After mom passed in April of 2020, he would often comment that “He was the luckiest guy in the world.” Mom and Dad were 2 weeks short of celebrating 70 years of marriage, when he lost the love of his life. He is survived by his children: Debi Hale (and spouse, Mike), Cindy Upjohn (and spouse, Bob) and Larry Cain (and spouse, Joy); 7 grandchildren: Amber Grice, Ryan Upjohn, Andy Hale, Stacy Sadler, Emily Cain, Madelyn Clark & Jason Cain; 6 great grandchildren; his sister Madora Belle Kramer; 2 nieces and 5 nephews.
A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, June 25, 2021, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Missouri, to celebrate the life, love, and legacy Ray and Velma left to all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Good Shepherd Community of Christ or Graceland University.
You will be greatly missed by your family. Your legacy is 3 kids that will miss you very much, 7 grand-kids that looked up to you for guidance and 6 great grand-kids who will hear your stories for many years to come.
We’re so glad you are with Mom again!
Love you Dad.......Debi, Cindy and Larry
Ray Cain, of Independence, MO (our dad) passed away peacefully in his home December 9, 2020.
Dad was born in Key West, Florida to Madora and John Cain on December 23, 1924. John was a career navy officer, so dad grew up on Navy bases all over the country. We believe that this contributed to his love of traveling. He and his younger sister, Madora Belle Kramer, reminisced often of their days in Hawaii and California.
Dad enlisted in the Army during WWII. He had originally tried to enlist in the Navy like his dad but it was discovered that he could only see out of one eye, due to a birth defect.
Dad met Velma Muirhead in 1948 at the Stone Church, where they married on May 5, 1950. Mom came from Canada on a visa so she could attend the Independence Sanitarium School of Nursing.
After Mom and Dad were married, he was recalled into service during the Korean War. They spent their first year of marriage in Texas where he was stationed. He worked on B-29’s and developed a passion for planes.
After discharge from the Army, Dad attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. He graduated with a degree in Business. He was a proud alumnus and attended many reunions.
Mom and Dad started a family in 1951 when Deborah Rae was born. Cynthia Sue was born in 1954 and Laurence John in 1962.
Dad worked at the Marley Cooling Tower company for over 30 years. He was a pioneer of his time, converting the traffic department data from paper to computer. Dad was a snazzy dresser and received the nick name of the ‘Johnny Carson’ of Marley.
The Community of Christ Church had a big impact on Dad's life. He served as an Elder, attending the Pleasant Heights Congregation for many years (now known as Good Shepherd), teaching classes and assisting the in work of the church in any way he was asked. Dad was a guide at the Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio and The Temple in Independence, MO. Dad and Mom both volunteered as cooks for Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer. They belonged to the Laurel Club and were “Ambassadors for Peace” for the World Church.
Dad was a lover of music. He had a record collection that he had started in high school. Music was always played at home and it was always loud. After Mom and Dad retired, they traveled extensively, from camping in a pop-up camper to cruising the world. They took many trips with family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he felt it was his privilege to be the caregiver for Mom for 10 years, during her health struggles. He was also an avid historian and wrote several books on his genealogy. As he got older and his vision worsened, he didn't give up his passion, but was able to continue working by having 3 monitors on his desk.
In 2017 Dad was lucky enough to fly to Washington, DC on the Heartland Honor Flight. He was deeply touched, as the veterans received a hero’s welcome at the airport when they landed.
Dad had many friends and he was a good friend to many.
After mom passed in April of 2020, he would often comment that “He was the luckiest guy in the world.” Mom and Dad were 2 weeks short of celebrating 70 years of marriage, when he lost the love of his life. He is survived by his children: Debi Hale (and spouse, Mike), Cindy Upjohn (and spouse, Bob) and Larry Cain (and spouse, Joy); 7 grandchildren: Amber Grice, Ryan Upjohn, Andy Hale, Stacy Sadler, Emily Cain, Madelyn Clark & Jason Cain; 6 great grandchildren; his sister Madora Belle Kramer; 2 nieces and 5 nephews.
A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, June 25, 2021, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Missouri, to celebrate the life, love, and legacy Ray and Velma left to all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Good Shepherd Community of Christ or Graceland University.
You will be greatly missed by your family. Your legacy is 3 kids that will miss you very much, 7 grand-kids that looked up to you for guidance and 6 great grand-kids who will hear your stories for many years to come.
We’re so glad you are with Mom again!
Love you Dad.......Debi, Cindy and Larry
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis "Ray" Cain, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, June 25, 2021
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Speaks Suburban Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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