Ora Raffurty

Ora Joseph "June" Raffurty, 95, of Kansas City, Missouri, was born Saturday, September 11, 1915 in the Ore Community near Pleasant Hill, the fifth of six children to Ora A. and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Raffurty. He departed this life at 12:57 a.m. on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City.

On June 10, 1939, he was united in marriage to Glada Sue Bradley in Olathe, Kansas.

He was a WWII Army Air Corps veteran serving in the European Theatre.

Ora was employed as a Tool & Die Inspector for the Bendix Corporation, retiring in 1981. Prior to that he had been a machinist for American Steel Works and Remington Arms, an instructor for Pratt & Whitney, and a traveling salesman for G. W. Ryan.

He was a proud member of the IAMAW Union. He was also a member of the Marlborough Baptist Church.

He never let his age slow him down and still enjoyed his independence. He still drove wherever he needed to go and maintained a large garden. It was said he was the "Tomato King" of south Kansas City.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers Olin Raffurty, James Raffurty, and Ray Raffurty; and two sisters Ella Hon and Esta Karg.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Glada of the home, a son Richard O. and spouse Linda of Kansas City, a daughter Glenda Sue McMurry and spouse Robert of Independence, and a son Donald J. and spouse Pamela Sue of Odessa, nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home. Reverend Carl Knapp of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church officiated. Graveside military services and interment were in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery by the VFW Post #3118 Honor Guard.

Casket bearers were James Engle, Mark Lang, Robert McMurry, David Raffurty, Jeffrey Raffurty, Joseph Raffurty, Richard C. Raffurty and Michael Sears.