GALATA/CHESTER - Ray Franklin Kinyon, 86, of Galata died Saturday, July 16, 2005, at a Chester rest home.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. A graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Galata Cemetery.
Ray was born May 17, 1919, on a family farm four miles north of Galata to James and May (Pegg) Kinyon. He attended the Teal country school through grade eight.
Ray became a farmer and remained on the family farm throughout his working life. He also raised cattle and sheep, but most of the sheep were raised as pets. He loved dogs, too, and had many loyal canine friends over the years. Ray's most enjoyable part of farming was driving tractor. He enjoyed many automobiles, too.
Ray loved his life on the farm. He helped care for his folks and enjoyed trips with them to Iowa to visit family. He was also a good neighbor and friend.
Ray was a "permanent fixture" in the Galata community until 1989, when he retired and moved to the Sweetgrass Lodge in Chester. His health began to fail in 2004, so he transferred to the Wheat Country Estates assisted-living facility. In June, he entered the Liberty County Nursing Home for extended care.
After moving to Chester, Ray had his favorite stops around town. He enjoyed eating and socializing at Spud's Caf. He would stop daily at Fraser's Conoco, where he could visit with the crew and customers.
At age 6, Ray learned to play the violin from his Uncle Irv. He eventually learned to play the harmonica, mandolin, fiddle and guitar, all by ear.
In his quiet time at home, Ray enjoyed playing solitaire and watching television. His favorite foods were hamburgers and homemade ice cream.
Ray never married.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Olen, Vern and Homer Kinyon; and sister, Margaret "Maggie" McSweeney.
Survivors include his brother, Brondle (Hermie) Kinyon of Shelby; eight nieces; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.
