November 23, 1930 - September 18, 2021

Ray Eugene McClaran, Jr., 90, of Blue Springs, passed to his Heavenly Father on September 18, 2021. 

Ray was born November 23, 1930, to Ray, Sr., and Wilma (Harryman) McClaran in Kansas City, MO.  The family moved to Independence, MO in 1933 where he resided most of his life.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Independence and its Boy Scout Troop, where he became an Eagle scout.  He served as an ROTC Captain at William Chrisman High School, graduating in 1948. 

Ray attended Kansas City Junior College, then transferred to Northwest Missouri State College (now Northwest Missouri State University) in Maryville, Missouri, graduating in 1952 with a degree in accounting.  He was employed by the CPA firm of Sinderson, Henning, and Mueller, earned his CPA designation, and, in 1966, became a partner.  The firm merged with Arthur Young & Co. in 1967, and he left in 1971 to become Financial VP/Comptroller for Hudson Oil Co.

In 1959, Ray became a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now known as the Community of Christ, and accepted appointment as a full-time minister in 1975.  He served as Bishop of St. Louis Stake from 1976 to 1978 and then became a member of the Presiding Bishopric until 1992.  He retired from church appointment in March 1993 and continued to perform audits for various church jurisdictions for many years.

Ray was a charter member of Battery D, 129^th Field Artillery Battalion of the MO National Guard.  He later commanded Company B, 135^th Signal Battalion and retired with the rank of Captain after twenty years of service.

He married his beloved Katie Cooper on November 27, 1954, at the RLDS (Community of Christ) Stone Church in Independence, where they were members most of their married life.  Three children were born to this union.  He loved home and family and was a devoted husband and father.  Katie preceded him in death in 2013.  He later found a companionship with Betty Minton and they were married on November 25, 2017.  They enjoyed four years together and Betty was a loving caregiver in his final months.

Once, Ray was introduced as “a gentle man” to a class he was to teach, and that is who he truly was.  He took the Boy Scout Creed very seriously, always wanting to be kind and helpful to others.  When asked to take any responsibility, he didn’t know the word “no.”  During his working years and all his life afterwards, he assisted many people with financial matters, including taking the responsibility of power of attorney, and settling many estates.  He loved to be of service to church and community, including as a member of the Rotary Club and participating in community projects such as the Independence School District’s Project Shine. 

He leaves to cherish his memory:  wife Betty Minton McClaran, Blue Springs; daughters Brenda Allen and Sheryl McClaran, son Dale McClaran and wife, Valerie, all of Independence; grandchildren Brad Allen, Brent Allen, Lindsey McClaran, and Collin McClaran; brother John McClaran and wife Sue of Bolckow, MO; two nieces, Sandy Conley and husband David, and Janie Cunningham and husband Jon; five great-nieces, three great-great-nephews, and one great-great-niece; Betty’s daughters Kelly Williams and husband Kenneth, and Dr. Julie Moore and husband Bradley; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Colonial Hills Community of Christ Church, 3539 MO-7, Blue Springs, MO on Sunday, October 10, at 3:00 p.m.  Visitation will precede the service beginning at 1:30 p.m.  The service will be streamed live and may be viewed at youtube.com/c/colonialhills.  Contributions are suggested to the Bridge of Hope fund of the Community of Christ Church, ATTN:  Mission Funding, 1001 West Walnut Independence, MO  64050.  Please include Bridge of Hope in the memo line.

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