Ray O. Brainard
January 22, 1923 — November 12, 2014
Ray O. Brainard, 91, of Marion, died Wednesday, November 12, 2014, in his home. Memorial Service: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2014, at the Church on Northland, First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren in Cedar Rapids by Pastors Jerry Bertelson and Robert Nelson. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church on December 6. Burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene; his children, Paul (Brenda) Brainard of Grapevine, TX, Douglas (Kathy) Brainard of Dunwoody, GA, Carolyn (Bill) Schmarzo of Pal Alto, CA, Nancy (Vince) Sumpter of Phoenix, AZ, David (D.J.) Brainard of Kansas City, MO, and Steven (Amy) Brainard of North Liberty, IA; eleven grandchildren; and three siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale, Lee, Keith, John, and Gene; and sister, Janice Walby.
Ray was born January 22, 1923, in Postville, Iowa, the son of George and Eva (Smith) Brainard. He graduated from Postville High School and entered the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Following his service to his country, Ray earned his teaching degree from Upper Iowa University. He married Darlene Butterfield on June 4, 1949, in Riceville, Iowa. Ray taught for 37 years, 27 of those at Vernon Middle School. Along with teaching at the middle school, Ray enjoyed coaching, umpiring, and refereeing. He was an avid fan of the Cubs, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Marion Indians and enjoyed all sports. Ray was a sports enthusiast and took pride in remaining physically fit, riding a bike well into his 80s.
Memorials may be directed to the Church on Northland, First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren in Cedar Rapids or to Unity Point Hospice in Ray’s memory.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene; his children, Paul (Brenda) Brainard of Grapevine, TX, Douglas (Kathy) Brainard of Dunwoody, GA, Carolyn (Bill) Schmarzo of Pal Alto, CA, Nancy (Vince) Sumpter of Phoenix, AZ, David (D.J.) Brainard of Kansas City, MO, and Steven (Amy) Brainard of North Liberty, IA; eleven grandchildren; and three siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale, Lee, Keith, John, and Gene; and sister, Janice Walby.
Ray was born January 22, 1923, in Postville, Iowa, the son of George and Eva (Smith) Brainard. He graduated from Postville High School and entered the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Following his service to his country, Ray earned his teaching degree from Upper Iowa University. He married Darlene Butterfield on June 4, 1949, in Riceville, Iowa. Ray taught for 37 years, 27 of those at Vernon Middle School. Along with teaching at the middle school, Ray enjoyed coaching, umpiring, and refereeing. He was an avid fan of the Cubs, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Marion Indians and enjoyed all sports. Ray was a sports enthusiast and took pride in remaining physically fit, riding a bike well into his 80s.
Memorials may be directed to the Church on Northland, First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren in Cedar Rapids or to Unity Point Hospice in Ray’s memory.
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