Scott Lee Ray was born on March 13, 1955, the oldest son of Harold Keith Ray and Deanie Jo Ray. He lived his entire life on the family farm north of Fairfax, where he developed a deep love for farming and the land.
On June 30, 1984, Scott was united in marriage to Karen Sylvia Frede. Together, they had one son, Harold Scott Ray.
In April 1996, Scott began working for MFA Agri Services of Fairfax as a spray operator and salesman. Two years later, in 1998, he was employed by Tarkio Academy. That October, he joined the Missouri Department of Corrections, where he would dedicate over 22 years of service. Scott worked at the Western Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron, the Western Reception Diagnostic Correctional Center in St. Joseph, and the Maryville Treatment Center in Maryville, Missouri.
Throughout his career with the Department of Corrections, Scott earned several honors, including the Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Service Award, Life Saving Award, and Employee of the Month recognitions from his supervisors and peers. He retired from the Department on January 31, 2021. Scott began working at Fairfax School as a janitor the very next day, on February 1, 2021.
Scott was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Ray, on April 21, 2009. On July 2, 2017, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Sheryl Franks, with friend H.C. Pennel presiding over the ceremony.
He was a member of the Fairfax Methodist Church and North Star Masonic Lodge #157, and a former member of the Moila Shrine and Maryville Elks Lodge.
Scott is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his son Harold Ray and wife Jessica, and granddaughters Madison and Sadie of Savannah, Missouri; his brother Kent Ray and wife Janice of Fairfax; nieces Jessica Murray (Lance) and their daughter Ava of Hickman, Nebraska, and Jennifer Ray (Brandon) and their children Bo, Jax, Jorga, and Bennett of Tarkio, Missouri; as well as brother in law Harold Frede (Jo Anne) of Tempe, Arizona, and nephew Kristofer Frede (Allie) of Chandler, Arizona. He is also survived by his stepchildren Tracy Grimes of Clarinda, Iowa; Amy Edgar of Shenandoah, Iowa; and Levi Smith of Essex, Iowa.
Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Keith Ray and Deanie Jo Ray, and wife, Karen Ray.
Scott’s body has been cremated under the care of the Schooler Funeral Home, Fairfax, MO.
A Celebration of Life for Scott will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Fairfax Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 10-11 AM prior to the service. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Fairfax.
Memorials may be given to CFNWMO, Fairfax Improvement Foundation, 1006 East St Maartens Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64506
