Charles "Ray" Raymond Gary, the son of Clyde and Blennie "Cleo" (Smith) Gary, died on August 21, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak, Iowa, at the age of 77 years, 6 months and 18 days. He was born in Forum, Arkansas, on February 03, 1941.

Ray graduated from Griswold High School with the class of 1959. On January 12, 1963, he was united in marriage to Carol Imsiek in Omaha, NE. Four children were born to this union: Teresa, Brad, Mark, and Matthew. They lived in several places, including: Omaha, NE, Wichita, KS, Detroit, MI, and Red Oak, IA before settling in Stanton to raise their family. Ray worked at several different places, most recently Parker Hannifan in Red Oak.

Ray loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.  He was a very hard worker, as well as a talented craftsman and woodworker. Ray designed and built many houses and custom-made cabinets. He loved including his children in the process and teaching them trades skills. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations, camping, boating, hunting, and fishing. Ray also liked going to the casino.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marcella Duncan; and his brother, Robert Gary and Robert's twin in infancy, and his half-brother, Everett Gary.

Ray is survived by children: Teresa Williams and her friend Les McFarland, of Red Oak, IA, Brad Gary and his fiancé Lori Johnson of Red Oak, IA, Mark Gary and his wife Nicole of Atlantic, IA, Matthew Ray Gary (Carrie Miles) of Sioux Falls, SD; his grandchildren: Melissa, Jeremy, Daniel, Stephanie, Jeffrey, Lakota, Bradina, Chelsea, Jordan, Walker, Colton, Hunter, Shelby and Riley; 17 great-grandchildren; his sisters Amelia Lewis and Marlena Hansen of Wichita, KS; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services for Ray will be Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold. The visitation will be Friday, August 24, 2018 at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. A time of sharing will be at 5:30 PM.  Interment will be in the Griswold Cemetery. The Rieken Duhn Funeral Home is helping the family with the arrangements.