Ray Sherman Peterson was born on July 21, 1939 in Pratt, Kansas to John Herman and Harriet Ethel (Kiefer) Peterson.  The family made their home in Cunningham, Kansas where Ray attended Tully Elementary and then Cunningham High School, graduating with the class of 1957.

Moving to San Jose, California, Ray lived with his sister while attending college and working for the city.  He then moved back to live with his family which had moved to a farm just northwest of Harper, Kansas.  Ray continued with his education by attending college in Emporia for three years.  After which time he worked for Anthony Redi-Mix from 1961 to 1967, then purchasing the business and running it until 1971.  Ray would tell how he supplied part of the concrete for building Chaparral High School as well as some bridges throughout the county.  In 1971, Ray moved to Oklahoma City and worked for Makins Concrete until 1976.  From there he worked for Halliburton, eventually transferring in the company to Pampa, Texas before retiring due to his health.

Ray was united in marriage with Joy Whitaker in 1960 and they were blessed with three children: Twylia, Ray II, and Monica.  Meeting Darlene Faye Pore at a young age, they later reconnected and were married in Wichita, Kansas on September, 29, 1979.  They made their home in Pampa and later moved back to the family farm near Harper.

Farming was something Ray really enjoyed and he was a hard worker.  He was a very good repairman, fixing things like machinery, clocks and watches, and almost anything around the house, as well as being a licensed electrician.

Dedicated and passionate about being a Mason, Ray was a Consistory 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason.  He was a Master Mason in both Pampa and Anthony, Royal Arch Mason in Harper, and Council Mason in Wichita.  Ray was active in many ways to include: Commandery Knights Templar where he was a past Commander, both a Shriner and Camel Herder for the Midian Temple in Wichita, and a member of the Eastern Star in Anthony.

At the age of 84, Ray passed away in his home in Harper, Kansas on December 18, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Harriet Peterson; siblings: John "Bove" Peterson, Gwendolyn "Tooty" Peterson, and Ronald Peterson; and grandson, Mark Peterson.  Ray is survived by his wife, Darlene of the home; children: Twylia Peterson of Norman, Oklahoma, Ray Peterson II of Anthony, Kansas, and Monica Psikal of Norman; grandchildren: Kyle Carothers (Ashley), Kurt Carothers, Morgan Coon (Jason), Brandy Hammans (Elias), KJ Hauser, Tyler Drivere (Sara), and Amber Psikal (Denver Blevins); six great-grandchildren; siblings, Kathryn Blake (Don) and Sharon Bray (Charles); other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 at the Harper United Methodist Church with Pastor Bruce Wilson officiating.  Interment follows at the Belle Plaine Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058