Ray Alexander Pyles

Ray Alexander Pyles, 85, passed away on September 27, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas. He was born June 19, 1941, to Dr. Ralph and Murlee Pyles in Sterling, Illinois. The family moved several times, with summers spent in Mississippi where his mother was raised. The family eventually settled in Wichita where Ray began his schooling at Riverside Elementary and finished at Wichita North High School. There he played the trombone in the school band and graduated in 1960. He attended Friends University for two years, then served in the U. S. Navy as a radioman for four years, rising to the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. Ray continued his education at Pittsburg State University, finishing there in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, majoring in Industrial Arts. After teaching a few years, Ray took night classes at Wichita State University and in 1978 earned a Master in Education degree, with a major in Secondary Education.

Ray married Juanita C. Hartford on December 28, 1968, in Wichita. They had two children, Christy Lynn Rafferty (Sean) of Wichita and Luke Andrew Pyles (Katy Collins) of Shirley, Massachusetts. Their marriage lasted 57 years, and they were blessed with eight grandchildren. For Ray, these were very important people. They are Amanda, Rylan and Miranda Rafferty, and Ian, Cora-Rae (deceased), Abby, Nathan, Lucy and Margaret Pyles.

Throughout Ray's adulthood, he greatly enjoyed gardening. His wife, children, and grandchildren have many happy memories of helping him grow fruits and vegetables. He delighted in secretly planting flowers to surprise members of his family. Ray enjoyed sitting in "his spot" by a window looking out on the backyard with its bountiful greenery and his numerous animal friends, including birds, squirrels, rabbits and foxes. Due to his skill with wood, needle and thread, and silver, many family members and friends were gifted with beautiful hand-made wood furniture, carved wood figurines, meticulously sewn pictures and silver jewelry crafted into intricate designs.
 

Ray followed his father's example in two ways, first with a career in education. He taught industrial arts, science and drivers education courses in Wichita schools for 31 years. Secondly, like his father, he was involved in the Boy Scouts of America program. His father took his toddler son to Scout activities he was leading and Ray later participated in Scouting as a boy and a young man. When his son Luke was of age, Ray and his wife were founding partners with several other parents to start Cub Scout Pack 416; Ray was a Den Leader.  When Luke was old enough to be a Boy Scout, Ray took on the position of Assistant Scoutmaster and continued to give to youth in this way for many years.  One of the highlights of his Scouting years with Luke was the two treks they participated in at Philmont, a backpacking high adventure camp in northeast New Mexico. In appreciation of his many good turns and years of volunteering, he was nominated for and received the Silver Beaver Award. This award is the highest and most prestigious honor a local council of the Boy Scouts of America can bestow on an adult volunteer. After retiring from teaching, Ray served as a volunteer at Riverside Elementary School and played Santa Claus for children and people with pets.  As an overdue recognition of his high school band membership, his daughter Christy orchestrated his award of a Wichita North High School letter jacket. The special event's surprise presentation was seen as a feature on a local television news program. 

Ray was a husband, a trusted friend, a craftsman, a son, a teacher, a brother, a student, a Dad, an uncle, Santa Claus, "Papo," a nephew, an artist, a mentor, a cousin, a gardener, a leader, a volunteer, and so much more. In short, he was a very good man who will be missed by many. Ray is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and brother, Dr. John Pyles (Freda), and was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ann Lynn Flores, and his granddaughter Cora-Rae Pyles.

In respect to Ray's wish, memorial donations may be made to Riverside Elementary School that he and his grandchildren attended, he volunteered at and where his granddaughter did her student teaching. Donations in memory of Ray A. Pyles may be made to Riverside Elementary school or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. For Riverside School, send to the Wichita Public Schools Foundation, 903 S. Edgemoor, Room 518, Wichita, KS 67218. If a check, please note "Riverside Elementary" on the memo line, or if an online donation, please note "Riverside Elementary" in the comments box near the bottom of the screen.

Memorials may be made to:
Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
313 S. Market
Wichita, KS 67202
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Riverside School
Wichita Public Schools Foundation
903 S Edgemoor, Room 518
Wichita, KS 67218