Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri) 12 June 2022, Sunday, page 26A

Virgil Ray Alderson

January 21, 1925 – May 26, 2022

Leawood, Kansas – Virgil Ray Alderson, age 97, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022. 

Ray was born January 21, 1925, to David Lloyd Alderson and Emma Jewell (Boring) Alderson on a farm in Benton County, Missouri. The family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in 1927. Ray graduated from Wyandotte High School in 143.

Ray served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. After the war he graduated from the University of Kansas.

Ray married the love of his life, Mary Lyth, on June 3, 1948. They had two daughters.

Ray worked in the trucking industry. He retired as Executive Vice President in 1983 from Yellow Freight Lines (now Yellow Corporation). He was a member of Hillcrest Christian Church.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary, and his brother, Robert Gene Alderson. He is survived by his daughters, five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and his sister.

A visitation for Ray will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will occur at 2:00 PM followed by a committal service.

Published on the Funeral Home Website

Virgil Ray Alderson, age 97, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022

Ray was born on January 21, 1925, to David Lloyd Alderson and Emma Jewell (Boring) Alderson on a farm in Benton County, Missouri. The family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in late 1927, where Ray attended grade school and graduated from Wyandotte High School

Ray served in the U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster Third Class on several squadron flag ships in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was in numerous pivotal battles including Iwo Jima. After the war, he attended and graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in psychology and BS in Business Administration.

Ray married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Mary Lyth, on June 3, 1948, and was totally devoted o her. They had two daughters, five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Ray began his business life with Riss and Company Trucking and after a few years joined Yellow Transit Freight Lines (now Yellow Corporation), where he retired as Executive Vice President in 1983. Ray was active in transportation affairs nationally. He was board member of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, the Humana Hospital (Overland Park Regional Hospital) and board of Trustees and a board member of Leawood South Country Club. He was a member of Hillcrest Christian Church.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Jewell Alderson, his wife Marry, his brother Robert Gene Alderson, a special sister-in-law, Ginnie Orrick and nephew Al Orrick. He is survived by his two daughters, five grandchildren that he dearly loved, and great grandchildren, and several dear nieces and nephews.

Ray enjoyed many hobbies including travel, woodworking, golf, fly fishing and winemaking. He was an avid reader. His loving kindness, intelligence, infectious smile and quiet faith will be missed by all who knew him. He lived life to the fullest, and cherished his wife, daughters, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Ray's name to Hillcrest Christian Church, 11411 Quivira Road, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66210, the United States Navy Memorial, or the charity of your choice.

A visitation will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64131. A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. A committal service will occur Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM at Mt Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.