Obituary of Ray Hulsey

Coffeyville - Ray Hulsey, 91, of Coffeyville passed away this morning, May 3, 2011 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. He was born November 9, 1919, near Welch, OK to Ed and Sarah (Nelson) Hulsey. He grew up in the Welch area where he attended school. When he was a junior in high school his family moved to Chetopa where he completed his education graduating from Chetopa High School in 1928. On December 21, 1940 he married Mary Elizabeth Whitaker at Joplin, MO. Following their marriage they made their home in Chetopa. During World War II Ray worked at the Army Ammunition Plant at Parsons, and started his career in restaurants when he and his mother opened a cafe. In 1953 they moved to Coffeyville when Ray and Mary purchased Superior Poultry and Egg. In 1967 they opened Kwik-Stop, Coffeyville's first convenience store and formed Superior Foods. They later purchased and operated George's Cafeteria for many years. Ray was a member of the First Christian Church, and was a former Deacon, a former member of the 2nd Thursday Investment Club, Honey Bee Good Sam's Camping Club, Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce, an original founder of the National Foster Parents Assoc., when Meals on Wheels was formed Ray volunteered to deliver meals which he loved doing for over 30 years until stopping in December 2010. Survivors include his wife, Mary of the home; two sons, Bill Hulsey and wife, Claudia of Coffeyville, and Bob Hulsey and Sam Wheeler of Tulsa, OK; two daughters, Sue Rudziensky of Coffeyville, and Mary Ann Widmer and husband Richard of Bayfield, CO; one brother, Ed Hulsey of Coffeyville; one sister, Dean Davidson of Oswego; fiver grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and where foster parents to fifteen children. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Glen Hulsey; and one sister, Lucille Smith. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2011 at the First Christian Church in Coffeyville with Pastor Clay Bramble officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to the First Christian Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Tagged as: Fairview Cemetery, First Christian Church