Services: 1 p.m. May 25 at Barnes Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastor Gary Jennings officiating. Ray’s family is following his wishes to be cremated. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.
Ray Dean Kessinger, 73, of Sparta, died Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Ray Dean was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing.
Ray Dean was born Aug. 3, 1944, in Christian County, the son of John Raymond and Bessie Lorene (Essick) Kessinger. Ray Dean grew up and lived in the Ozark area all of his life. He was saved at an early age and was of the Assembly of God faith. In the late 1960s, Ray Dean enlisted in the National Guard Reserves and served for seven years. In June 1968, Ray Dean was united in marriage to Judy St.Clair and to this union, two children were born, daughter Janna Rae and son Douglas Dean. Beginning at an early age, Ray Dean worked in the logging and sawmilling industry. He then worked many years as a truck driver. In 2006, “Big Ray” retired from “haulin’ mud,” as he would say, at Southwest Materials Concrete in Ozark, after seven years of service.
Ray Dean was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and many beloved family members and friends. His family has comfort in knowing how joyous a reunion Heaven must surely be for him right now.
Ray was a good man and a wonderful father, with his children never doubting his love for them. He will be dearly missed by his surviving family, daughter Janna Jenkins and husband Robert of Chadwick; son Doug Kessinger of Mulberry, Kansas; three grandsons, twins Trevin and Tandin Kessinger as well as their little brother, Scotlin Kessinger; step-granddaughter Aspin Durbin; brother Ronald Kessinger and wife Ruth Ann of Reeds Spring; the mother of his children, Judy (St.Clair) Hicks; very good friend Mrs. Earline Phipps; and a host of extended family and friends.
