After 87 years, Raymond Dwight Crisp, residing in Warrensburg, MO, passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Ray was born in Parrish, Illinois on November 16, 1935, the second to youngest of six sisters. In 1954, after graduating high school, Ray joined the Navy where he served as court reporter.  Aboard the USS Manchester, during the Korean War, he was able to visit Hawaii, Greece, Italy and more which he always spoke fondly of. (He would also have corrected me, his daughter, for ending this sentence in a preposition, sorry Dad.)

After four years in the service, Ray began his education journey at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champagne. The first in his family to continue his education after high school, he obtained a Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in Teaching English as a Second Language. From there, he began his teaching career in Illinois at the high school level. He then taught college courses at Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois in Urbana-Champagne and Illinois State University.  He continued his career at Northern Arizona University before beginning as Coordinator of English Language Arts Education for the Kansas Public Schools.

During his tenure with the Kansas Public Schools, he met his wife Cathy Heusel.  They married in 1984 and had a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Raye Heusel (Crisp) Alkire, in 1985.  Both Ray and Cathy continued to advance their careers by a move to Buffalo, New York, where he taught at SUNY College, and eventually a move to Lincoln, Nebraska to be closer to family. In Nebraska he served as an English Consultant for the Lincoln Public Schools, as well as teaching courses at Southeast Community College, Wesleyan University and Creighton University.

Ray's passion for the arts, education and culture were ever present. Trips to the symphony and musicals were frequent. He boldly and excitedly moved his family to Saudi Arabia in the late 1990s while he taught diplomats English and provided an unforgettable experience for his family. From forcing vocabulary flashcards at dinner to running fake fire drills in the hotels we stayed at, he was always looking for opportunities to educate. Even to the end, he was helping physician residents and nurses learn new things about medicine and human anatomy.

His love of puns and humor always produced that shining smile and contagious laugh. He loved to read. He loved poetry. And, he loved to share all these things with hopes that others would love and find joy in them as he did.

Above all of these, he loved being a father. He was an aggressive advocate, continual champion and the ever-encourager (that alliteration is for you, Daddy) of me, his daughter, even to the point of embarrassment at times when I was a teen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, wife (Cathy) and many dear friends. Left to share his stories and memories are his daughter, Sarah Alkire, her husband, Deke, and his two granddaughters, Audrey and Darcy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sarah Alkire for a memorial account. Funds will be used to further the love of reading, writing and support the advancement of the arts for the Crest Ridge School District, where his beloved granddaughters attend. A reception to honor his life will be Saturday, June 17 at 2pm at the UCM Art Gallery.

online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net