Raymond "Ray" Shelby

Raymond “Ray” Shaw Shelby, age 73, passed away in his Laurie, MO home on February 25th, 2022 after a hard fought battle with lung cancer. He was born on September 30, 1948 in Kansas City, MO. He grew up in Overland Park, raised his family in Denver, CO, and has lived in Lee’s Summit, MO, Laurie, MO, and Florida, and owned a vacation home in Mesa, AZ.

Ray was a loving father and grandfather who always liked to joke around. He had a quick wit, kind smile, and benevolent nature. He was a hard worker and always liked to keep busy. When

Ray completed a project, he would make sure it was done right.

He loved spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks with his wife, JoEllen. He loved it so much he built their forever home in 2006 and they relocated from Kansas City in 2015. Ray enjoyed

swimming, grilling, boating, and taking his grandchildren tubing. He always took joy in convincing others, especially his children and grandchildren, into “shooting the minnow”. After learning from him over the years, Ray decided to take after his father and become a general contractor. Throughout his career, he worked for many companies around the country,

before starting his own company, Shelby construction, in Kansas city. Ray was admired by clients, subcontractors, and others in the construction industry. Ray loved flying/planes, traveling, and watching Chiefs football and Jayhawk basketball. After moving to the lake, Ray became an active member of the Elks lodge where he attended many social gatherings, volunteered, and made many friends. Ray was loved by everyone around him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, JoEllen Shelby, of the home; his children, Heather Shuman, Holly Shelby, Heidi (John) Davis, Scott (Beth) Shelby, Robin (Chris) Jones and Staci Beasley; grandchildren, Liam, Brendan, and Piper Davis, Brett and Brooklyn Shelby, Josh Cramer, Emily and Matthew Elkins, Derek Rios, and Kylie and Danica Jones; three great-grandchildren, Bella, Wrenley, and Grayson Cramer; sister-in-law Claudia Noakes; sisterJoan Vibert; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Shelby and Virginia Sarazan, sister Diane Thorp, and daughter Jennifer Rios.

Internment will be at Garber Memorial Estates Cemetery in Laurie, MO.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society and United Mitochondrial

Disease Foundation.

https://donate3.cancer.org

https://umdf.org