Raymond Lawrence Coday, 86
On Tuesday evening, Jan. 17, 2012, Raymond Lawrence Coday was called to his heavenly home, at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 23 days. Although we miss him, we have peace in knowing that one day we will meet again.
Born May 25, 1925 to Martin and Agnes (Young) Coday in Garden Grove, Calif., Raymond was one of seven children. He was raised in the Ozarks and enjoyed the simple things in life.
On March 20, 1948 Raymond married the love of his life, Vestal Beatrice Ashley, and to this union one son and four daughters were born.
Raymond faithfully served his country in the United States Army and was inducted in 1945 where he served a tour in Okinawa, Japan during the Second World War.
He worked for the railroad for several years, was a mechanic at John Nelson Chevrolet garage in Springfield, Mo., and retired from Emerson Electric in Ava, Mo.
Raymond accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior in the summer of 1990 and attended the Seymour Holiness Church whenever his health allowed. He was known to testify; because of the power of our Lord, his old truck didn’t pull into the liquor store anymore and he never smoked another cigarette. The Good Lord took it away from him and he was made into the man God wanted him to be. A sweet and gentle man, Raymond loved the Lord and would always say, “The Good Lord is watching over me and He’s the only one that matters.”
Faith and family was Raymond’s life and he loved to share with others. Raymond never knew a stranger and was a jokester. Lifting his voice to God or playing his guitar, he worshiped with all his heart. He loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed the memories of fishing with Vestal.
For the last year and a half Raymond lived at Glenwood Healthcare and he called it home. The people there were like his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 47 years Vestal Coday; his brothers Martin Coday, Jr., Boyd Coday and Melvin Coday; his sisters Beulah Crump and Geraldine McKinney; and one infant granddaughter Kasie Morrison.
Raymond leaves behind his children Diana Wells of Springfield, Mo., Gloria Herd and husband John of Chadwick, Mo., Debroah Gail Darst and husband Daniel of Seymour, Mo., Mark Coday of Seymour, and Amy Tetrick and husband Floyd of Ava, Mo.; 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; his sister Betty Auberry and husband Jim of Springfield, Mo.; his sister-in-law Ann Cantrell of Seymour, Mo.; his special friend Beverly Robison of Ava, Mo., and several nieces and nephews as well as a host of other family and dear friends.
Raymond Lawrence was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and the legacy of love he leaves behind for all who knew and loved him. We will remember his smile and cherish all the memories he created for each of us.
Services for Raymond Lawrence Coday will be Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. in the Holman-Howe Chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Seymour Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Homes, Seymour, Mo.
Visitation will be Thursday evening, Jan. 19, 2012 from 6-7 p.m. in the chapel. Online condolences may be made to www.holmanhoweseymour.com.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and left at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the wonderful people at Glenwood and Hospice Compassus for the care of their father.
