Raymond Belknap Jr.
May 30, 1924 – Feb. 2, 2019
Raymond Belknap Jr., 94, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2019, at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri.
He was born May 30, 1924, in Nevada, Missouri. to parents Raymond E. and Ruby J. (Wiles) Belknap.
Ray graduated from Nevada High School in 1942. Receiving numerous awards in music.
Prior to college, he served three years in the U.S. Army during World War II as an Air Operations Specialist. After his service, he married Shirley Jean Morgan-Fields in 1946.
Ray received a Bachelor of Music from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. Post-graduate work was completed at the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.
Thirty years were spent teaching instrumental music, chorus and music appreciation to students in the Missouri District of Platte City, Stanberry and Excelsior Springs.
Following retirement, Ray enjoyed woodworking of all types. His intricate miniature furniture was featured in the Kansas City Times and displayed at the Kansas City Toy and Miniature Museum.
Ray was preceded in death by wife, Shirley Jean Belknap; daughter, Janet Newby Roberts; brother, Clarence E. Belknap; and parents.
He is survived by two daughters, Debby (Nick) Houk of Excelsior Springs and Melanie (Rodney) Thomas, Kearney, Missouri; four grandchildren, Darci Houk, Kim Skeel, Kris Burnett, and Randy Roberts; two step-grandchildren, Teasha Vargas and Brett Thomas; six great-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Mary Jane Belknap of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Inurnment of Raymond and wife, Shirley, will take place at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. at a later date.
Donations may be made to the American Legion Post 236, 208 Veterans Memorial Drive, P.O. Box 297, Excelsior Springs, MO. 64024 or to the Kansas City Pet Project, 4400 Raytown Rd., Kansas City, MO 64129.
Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.