Ray James Morrison

Ray James Morrison Jr, age 90, of Nixa, passed away peacefully in his home and went to his heavenly home Wednesday, October 08, 2014, after a long enriched and blessed life. Ray was born to Ray James Sr, and Anna E (Kaminska) Morrison, November 24, 1923, in Camp Lewis, WA. Ray Jr. was joined in marriage to Gloria Marie Voepel, October 9, 1976. They were married for 38 years. Ray was a World War II veteran in the China, Burma, and India Theatre. Ray was on the HMT Rohna, in the Mediterranean Sea, when a German airplane torpedoed the ship, sinking the Rohna. 1,138 servicemen perished. Ray was one of the 123 servicemen who survived. He and his sister Virginia had a Vaudeville act, performing comedy, singing, and dancing. In his younger years, Ray performed in the Ice Capades. He loved to dance and was a dance teacher. Ray retired from the Defense Mapping Agency, Aerospace Center, in St. Louis. After Ray's retirement, he and Gloria had a business called Glory Gallery. Ray was a long time member of Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Nixa, and was always close to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ray is survived by his wife, Gloria; children Sheila Fuchs-Schenck, and husband Jack, of St. Louis, Chris Wooten, and wife Debbie, of St. Louis, Vince Wooten, and wife Sonja, of St. Louis, Annie Bayer, and husband Bill, of St. Louis, and Lee Booth, of France; 15 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; Sisters-in-law Carolyn Harmon, and husband Bill, of Farmington, Kathleen Voepel, of Springfield; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Ray is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Anna Marjorie Woodson and Virginia Violet Engel; brother-in-law Arthur Charles Voepel; and a grandson, Eric Paul Wooten. A visitation will be held from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Sunday, October 12, 2014, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, October 13, 2014, in the funeral Home. Burial will follow at Delaware Cemetery, Nixa.