Harold R.
U.S. Veteran
Harold R. “Ray” Madl, 79, of Parsons passed from his earthly life at 4:29 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death and had fought a courageous battle with cancer since Dec. 6, 2011.
Ray was born July 20, 1935, in St. Paul to William Antone and Grace Cozette (Richardson) Madl.
He attended schools in St. Paul and Parsons, graduating from Parsons High School in 1953.
Ray married Regina Louise Chaney on March 15, 1957, in Miami, Oklahoma. In 1958, he was drafted into the Army and went to basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and joined the 3rd Armored Division. He served in Freiberg, Germany, and ended his service in 1960. During his service, Ray met Elvis Presley, who was drafted as well. Ray was very proud of a medal he won during a Jeep race against the music icon.
Ray worked for the Katy Railroad as a conductor for 36 years, retiring in 1992. Affectionately known as “Kojak” or “Curly” by his fellow railroaders, Ray was always happy to tell a few of his many railroad stories to anyone who would take time to listen. He was known for his generous heart and eagerness to help those in need. His summertime hobby was buying, repairing and selling used air conditioners. However, he often would give them away to people to ensure they did not have to endure summer heat. Ray was also known as a “jack of all trades” and “wheeler-dealer” who enjoyed tinkering in his garage and listening to Merle Haggard music.
Ray is survived by his wife, Regina, of the home, two sons; Terry Ray and his wife, Pamela, of Katy, Texas, and Mark of Parsons; and a daughter, Julie Fortman and her husband, Justin, of Pittsburg. He is also survived by a brother, John; and three sisters, Maxine Cooper, Gladys Caywood and her husband, Don, and Wilma Cass, all of Parsons. In addition he is survived by two grandsons, Brock Madl and his wife, Tasia, and Shane Garretson and his wife, Mattie, of Parsons; three great-granddaughters, Marlee, Madison and McKynzee; and his dog, Sadie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Ray leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and very close friends who will miss him dearly.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or Proud Animal Lovers Shelter (P.A.L.S.) Donations may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
U.S. Veteran
Harold “Ray” Madl, 79, of Parsons, passed away at 4:29 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Parsons Presbyterian Manor. He is survived by his wife, Regina Madl, of the home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to PALS (Proud Animal Lovers Shelter) or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Complete obituary details will be announced by the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
Harold R.
U.S. Veteran
Harold R. “Ray” Madl, 79, of Parsons passed from his earthly life at 4:29 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death and had fought a courageous battle with cancer since Dec. 6, 2011.
Ray was born July 20, 1935, in St. Paul to William Antone and Grace Cozette (Richardson) Madl.
He attended schools in St. Paul and Parsons, graduating from Parsons High School in 1953.
Ray married Regina Louise Chaney on March 15, 1957, in Miami, Oklahoma. In 1958, he was drafted into the Army and went to basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and joined the 3rd Armored Division. He served in Freiberg, Germany, and ended his service in 1960. During his service, Ray met Elvis Presley, who was drafted as well. Ray was very proud of a medal he won during a Jeep race against the music icon.
Ray worked for the Katy Railroad as a conductor for 36 years, retiring in 1992. Affectionately known as “Kojak” or “Curly” by his fellow railroaders, Ray was always happy to tell a few of his many railroad stories to anyone who would take time to listen. He was known for his generous heart and eagerness to help those in need. His summertime hobby was buying, repairing and selling used air conditioners. However, he often would give them away to people to ensure they did not have to endure summer heat. Ray was also known as a “jack of all trades” and “wheeler-dealer” who enjoyed tinkering in his garage and listening to Merle Haggard music.
Ray is survived by his wife, Regina, of the home, two sons; Terry Ray and his wife, Pamela, of Katy, Texas, and Mark of Parsons; and a daughter, Julie Fortman and her husband, Justin, of Pittsburg. He is also survived by a brother, John; and three sisters, Maxine Cooper, Gladys Caywood and her husband, Don, and Wilma Cass, all of Parsons. In addition he is survived by two grandsons, Brock Madl and his wife, Tasia, and Shane Garretson and his wife, Mattie, of Parsons; three great-granddaughters, Marlee, Madison and McKynzee; and his dog, Sadie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Ray leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and very close friends who will miss him dearly.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or Proud Animal Lovers Shelter (P.A.L.S.) Donations may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
U.S. Veteran
Harold “Ray” Madl, 79, of Parsons, passed away at 4:29 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Parsons Presbyterian Manor. He is survived by his wife, Regina Madl, of the home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to PALS (Proud Animal Lovers Shelter) or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Complete obituary details will be announced by the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
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