In Memory Of
Ray Beers, Jr.
1930
2018
Ray Beers, Jr.
June 23, 1930 — October 16, 2018
Ray Beers, Jr., 88, of Topeka, passed away on October 16, 2018
Ray was born June 23, 1930 in Topeka, KS, the only child of Forestine Blank Beers and Raymond Albert Beers. He was a life-long resident of Topeka where he attended Randolph Elementary, Boswell Junior High and Topeka High School (class of 1948). He graduated from the University of Kansas, School of Business in 1952.
Ray and Margaret Hazard were married in 1953 and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife Margaret and their three sons; Ray Beers II, Gregory Stuart Beers and David Wade Beers. Survivors also include seven grandchildren (Justin, Brenna, Jeremy, Tabitha, Desire, Paul and Nathan); eleven great grandchildren and two great- great grandchildren.
Ray was President of the Ray Beers Clothing Company, located for many years at 805 South Kansas Avenue and at White Lakes Mall and West Ridge Mall.
He closed the West Ridge store in 1996 and retired after forty four years of work that he truly enjoyed. While active in the business community, Ray served on numerous boards and committees, including: Rotary; Downtown Topeka, Inc. (where he served as Chairman of the Retail Division); Downtown Parking Advisory Board; Junior Chamber of Commerce; Topeka Chamber of Commerce; Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka; Central Business District Redevelopment Advisory Board; National Association of Retail Clothiers Board; and the YWCA Advisory Board.
After serving 34 years in the Kansas National Guard and the US Army Reserve (where he was appointed to the Selective Service System in which he was a Unit Commander), Ray retired with the rank of Colonel and was awarded the US Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Selective Service Exceptional Service Award.
Ray was a member of Central Congregational United Church of Christ, Phi Delta Theta Alumni, Topeka Country Club, SCORE, Chamber of Commerce Senior Council, and the Editorial Advisory Board of the Topeka Capital Journal. He was a longtime volunteer at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and was instrumental in establishing the Community Kitchen at the Expo Centre. He also volunteered at Lets Help and Doorstep.
Ray's hobbies included golf, tennis, pickle ball and "puttering" at the family farm in Wakarusa.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 29, 2018 in the Chapel at Mount Hope Cemetery, 17th & Fairlawn. The family will host a reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Topeka Rescue Mission's Children's Palace at 600 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608.
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is handling arrangements. To leave a special message for Ray's family, please visit the guestbook below.
Ray was born June 23, 1930 in Topeka, KS, the only child of Forestine Blank Beers and Raymond Albert Beers. He was a life-long resident of Topeka where he attended Randolph Elementary, Boswell Junior High and Topeka High School (class of 1948). He graduated from the University of Kansas, School of Business in 1952.
Ray and Margaret Hazard were married in 1953 and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife Margaret and their three sons; Ray Beers II, Gregory Stuart Beers and David Wade Beers. Survivors also include seven grandchildren (Justin, Brenna, Jeremy, Tabitha, Desire, Paul and Nathan); eleven great grandchildren and two great- great grandchildren.
Ray was President of the Ray Beers Clothing Company, located for many years at 805 South Kansas Avenue and at White Lakes Mall and West Ridge Mall.
He closed the West Ridge store in 1996 and retired after forty four years of work that he truly enjoyed. While active in the business community, Ray served on numerous boards and committees, including: Rotary; Downtown Topeka, Inc. (where he served as Chairman of the Retail Division); Downtown Parking Advisory Board; Junior Chamber of Commerce; Topeka Chamber of Commerce; Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka; Central Business District Redevelopment Advisory Board; National Association of Retail Clothiers Board; and the YWCA Advisory Board.
After serving 34 years in the Kansas National Guard and the US Army Reserve (where he was appointed to the Selective Service System in which he was a Unit Commander), Ray retired with the rank of Colonel and was awarded the US Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Selective Service Exceptional Service Award.
Ray was a member of Central Congregational United Church of Christ, Phi Delta Theta Alumni, Topeka Country Club, SCORE, Chamber of Commerce Senior Council, and the Editorial Advisory Board of the Topeka Capital Journal. He was a longtime volunteer at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and was instrumental in establishing the Community Kitchen at the Expo Centre. He also volunteered at Lets Help and Doorstep.
Ray's hobbies included golf, tennis, pickle ball and "puttering" at the family farm in Wakarusa.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 29, 2018 in the Chapel at Mount Hope Cemetery, 17th & Fairlawn. The family will host a reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Topeka Rescue Mission's Children's Palace at 600 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608.
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is handling arrangements. To leave a special message for Ray's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ray Beers, Jr., please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Monday, October 29, 2018
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel
Reception
Monday, October 29, 2018
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel
Guestbook
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