Cecil Ray Taylor
12-14-1936 to 02-04-2020
Linn County News
Published Feb. 12, 2020
Cecil Ray Taylor, 83, died peacefully on
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. Ray was born on Dec. 14, 1936, in Keytesville, Mo., to Cecil Earl Taylor and Minnie Grace Gotterman Taylor. He was one of six children. He attended Keytesville High School.
Ray married Virginia Evelyn Martin on Dec. 18, 1955. They recently celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Early in Ray’s vocational career he worked at a clay pigeon factory in Kansas City. Later he drove a propane delivery truck. He finished his career with two decades at Chemtech Chemical as a truck driver and warehouse inventory specialist.
Ray and Virginia welcomed three children into their home. His children remember him as a good and faithful man – faithful to his family, to Virginia, to the Lord, to his church. He possessed a quiet strength that drew admiration and respect from all who knew him. Ray was as genuine and authentic a man as you would ever want to meet. Ray enjoyed watching the Chiefs and the Royals. Hunting and fishing were also a source of great enjoyment.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters.
Ray is survived by his wife, Virginia, of the home; son David and wife Linda Taylor; daughter Terry and husband Joe Perkins; and daughter Cathy and husband Bob Kidder. Ray is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Laura, Sarah, Rachell, Nikki, Bryan, Melissa, Christina, Adam and Taylor; and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral service was Saturday, Feb. 8, at Lifebridge Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo. A graveside service was Saturday afternoon at White Chapel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lifebridge Baptist Church, 3710 N. Holmes Road, Kansas City, Mo.
OBITUARIES
Lila R. McCarty ~ 05-21-1938 to 03-08-2025

Linn County News Published March 12, 2025 Lila R. McCarty, age 86, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Richmond, Kan. A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. ... [More]
Norma Jean Harvey ~ 09-26-1935 to 02-21-2025

Linn County News Published March 5, 2025 Norma Jean Harvey, age 89, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. She was born on Sept. 26, 1935, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of William and Alta Pemberton Keener. She graduated from Turner High School.... [More]
Elizabeth Joyce Keaton ~ 02-14-1936 to 03-01-2025

Linn County News Published March 5, 2025 Elizabeth Joyce Keaton, age 89, Parker, Kan., passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025. Joyce was born on Feb. 14, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Owen and Mildred Smith Gilchrist. She was united in marriage to Richard... [More]
More Obituaries
- Keith Couch ~ 06-22-1927 to 03-01-2025
- Michael Anthony Taylor ~ 11-21-1957 to 01-21-2025
- Barbara Jean Harbison ~ 10-16-1939 to 02-20-2025
- Jerold Chester Davis ~ 05-13-1937 to 02-19-2025
- Emma Darlene Peek ~ 05-11-1935 to 02-08-2025
- Raymond “Ray” Eugene Holsman ~ 10-08-1944 to 02-18-2025
- Lisa Courtois ~ 07-15-1966 to 02-16-2025
- Patricia Galcatcher ~ 10-29-1958 to 02-13-2025
NEWS
Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road

During the meeting of the Linn County Commissioners on March 10, Renee Slinkard of rural Parker, asked once again that the county look into the possibility of paving a three and half mile section of Devlin Road. Slinkard told the commissioners, as she had previously, that the... [More]
Board votes to extend Meik contract

Ray Scholarship discussed at USD 344 board meeting Meeting Monday night, again with a packed board room, the Board of USD 344 voted to extend Elementary Principal Nathan Meik’s contract through the 2026/2027 school year in a 4-3 vote; board members Cindy Inman,... [More]
Resident questions legal opinion on approved minor plat

On March 10, Jan Longnecker spoke to the Linn County Commissioners regarding a legal opinion given at the previous meeting on March 3 on the minor plat that was approved by a former Planning and Zoning Administrator for a property near Parker. Longnecker began by stating he wasn’t... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Council moves forward with street grant process
- La Cygne leaders approve water plant maintenance
- Blue Mound hears updates on possible water tower project
- Linn Valley eyes potential economic development opportunity
- Pleasanton council discusses compactor contract
- Plane crashes in Linn County duck marsh, pilot calls 9-1-1
- Parker dissolves police department--for now
- STARS votes to separate from FSCC for upcoming school year
SPORTS
Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up

The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team had quite the run to their Sub-State tournament bracket this year. The Jays were in the 2A Yates Center Sub-Sate Bracket 1 as a five seed. They won their first game against the 12 seed Eureka on Feb. 27 to advance to the semifinal... [More]
Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha

The Prairie View girls’ basketball team traveled to Neodesha on March 4 to compete in the 3A girls’ basketball Columbus Sub-State Bracket #2 semifinal. The girls reached this game by defeating Iola in the first round on Feb. 27 at Prairie View, 39-35. In this... [More]
More Sports
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends three to State
- Blu-Jays defeat two Missouri foes
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling places third at East Regional as seven qualify for State
- Prairie View girls’ wrestling qualify six for State
- Pleasanton basketball faces TRL foes Southeast Cherokee and Northeast Arma
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