Obituaries detail

Return to Listings
Raphael "Ray" Zephyr Letourneau, Jr.
Jan 14, 1958 - Oct 08, 2018

Raphael “Ray” Zephyr Letourneau, Jr. of Leawood, Kansas, was born January 14, 1958 in Wichita, Kansas to Raphael Sr. and Bessie Letourneau, and passed away October 8, 2018 at Kansas CityHospice House in Kansas City Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 22 years Vicki (Halterman) Letourneau, god-son Connor Letourneau, father and mother in law Don and Betty Halterman; siblings Don Letourneau (Deborah), Nancy Volmer (Phil), Judy Forsse (Eric), Mary Mora (Pete), Karen Oblinger (Gregg), Kevin Letourneau (Deanne), John Letourneau, Renee Keffer (Dennis), Sister Ann Letourneau, Kent Letourneau (Christina), sisters and brothers in law Deb and John Selix, Sherri Shawgo, Lori and Tom Wikoff, 31 nieces, nephews, and 43 great-nieces and great-nephews. 

 

Ray graduated from Blessed Sacrament Catholic grade school and Kapaun Mount Carmel high school where he was the valedictorian of the class of 1976.  He went on to Kansas State University where he was president of Acacia Fraternity and member of numerous honor fraternities.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences in Accounting in 1980 and went on to start his career at Ernst and Whinney public accounting firm.  He achieved his C.P.A. in 1983.   From 1987 – 2003 he worked for Carondelet Health in various roles in hospital administration.  He was instrumental in their initial implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  He earned a Master’s in Health Administration from Webster University. In November 2003 he started working for Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care as Chief Administrative Officer.  In this role, Ray was able to utilize his intellect and compassion for others to find happiness and fulfilment.    Ray was an avid sports fans having held season tickets to Kansas State Football for 41 years and season tickets to Kansas City Chiefs and Royals games for numerous years as well.  He loved tailgating and traveling to bowl games and away games with his family and friends.

 

In January 2013 Ray was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic with a form of dementia that affects the part of your brain that controls your ability to communicate called Primary Progressive Aphasia (www.brain.northwestern.edu/dementia/ppa/).  It started with loss of the ability to find the word he wanted to say and progressed to rob him of the language needed to perform his job at Kansas City Hospice. He had to give up a job and people he loved. Over the next few years he was robbed of the ability to find almost all words.  Ray returned to the Kansas City Hospice House for the last few weeks of his life with his loving wife at his side. The place that he had nurtured, nurtured him in his last days.   We will be forever grateful for the wonderful care and compassion from all at Kansas City Hospice.

 

The funeral Mass will take place 10:00 A.M. Monday, October 15 at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, Kansas.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care at https://www.kchospice.org/product/make-a-donation/ or Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of American Chapter, 3856 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas  66208. Contributions may also be mailed to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative, 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri 64114.

 

 

 
Send Condolences
Additional Service:
Funeral Mass
Location:
Church of the Ascension
Address:
9510 W. 127th Street
City:
Overland Park
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66213
Date of Service:
Oct 15, 2018
Time of Service:
10:00 am
Additional Information:
No Additional Information Added
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map

Condolences

Merrill Pickert Oct 10, 2018

Friend of Vicki’s ,Olathe ,Kansas

I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that Randy and I are thinking of and praying for you and your family at this very difficult time. Love you, Merrill

Nicole Harlan Oct 10, 2018

Friend ,Liberty ,Missouri

My sympathy for your loss to the entire family. I worked for Ray at KCH for many years before he retired. So sad to hear about his passing.

Joyce Glasser Oct 10, 2018

Former co-worker ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Vicki and family, I worked at Dt. Joseph Medical Center with Ray years ago. Although we didn’t work in the same department, he was a work “friend” and was instrumental in getting me IT tech support for my department. He was a great person, God bless you as you mourn your lass🙏🏻 Joyce

Joseph Theobald Oct 10, 2018

Family friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Vicki, Chrisan & I are so sad to hear of Ray's passing, but are overjoyed with the fond memories we have. You and your family are in our thoughts. Ray was a very special guy.

Linda Bruce Oct 10, 2018

Friend ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Vicki, I’m so very sorry for your loss. All your old friends from St Luke’s are thinking of you. May God be with you at this difficult time. Linda

Patrick Geschwind Oct 10, 2018

former next door neighbor ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Vicki - Sheila, Patty and I want you to know that you are in our prayers. We will never forget your hospitality in welcoming us to the neighborhood. We mourn your loss of your wonderful, Ray, and pray that God's blessings will flow to you in your time of grief.

Tony Prettyman Oct 11, 2018

Fraternity Brother ,Louisburg ,Kansas

Sorry to hear about Ray. I had no idea he had been suffering for so long as we hadn't connected in years. I worked with him on the Fraternity Board of Directors for years. He was a good man and will be missed.

Carl Pace Oct 11, 2018

Friend of Vicki ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Vicki, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.

Kari OHalloran Oct 11, 2018

Please know of my prayers for your family. Ray and Bessie were such very special people and such a big part of the Blessed Sacrament family in Wichita. I am not sure there was a bigger Kansas State fan! EMAW Ray - you will be missed! - Kari O'Halloran

Charles Pierpont Oct 11, 2018

friend ,Austin ,Texas

So, sorry to hear about Ray. Too young. RIP.

Max Sharp Oct 12, 2018

College Friend ,Little Rock ,Arkansas

My thoughts and prayers are with you - very saddened to hear of your loss.

June Regan Oct 12, 2018

Friend ,Denver ,Colorado

Knowing Rays parents, Ray and Bessie during all the early years of Blessed Sacrament in Wichita and during the years our children were growing up together we were always amazed at their family and what wonderful children and adults they became. Rest In Peace Ray, God bless you and your family.

Bud Shawgo Oct 13, 2018

Friend ,Manhattan, ,Kansas

Vickie, Russell told me about Ray, this morning, I am sorry for your loss. The times that I saw Ray I was impressed with his manners considering his health situation . I'm sure he is a better place now. Life has surprises for all.

Tom and Keri Jones Oct 13, 2018

friends of Vicki and Ray ,Burlington ,Iowa

Vicki, We are so very sorry to hear about Ray's passing. We send our love and prayers as you grieve his loss. We love you! Keri and Tom

Diane Carter Oct 13, 2018

1st cousin ,Slidell ,Louisiana

May the Lord of all comfort be with all of you at this time of grief & also celebration of Ray's life on this earth. He has joined that great cloud of witnesses in the heavenly realm with all the loved ones who have gone before him! The love & unity of the Letourneau siblings is an inspiration to myself & i am sure to many others of whom you may not even be aware of. Love to all of you!💗🕊💗🕊💗

Anita Fore Buchanan Oct 14, 2018

Cousin ,Norman ,Oklahoma

I am so sorry for your loss. I have many wonderful childhood memories of Ray. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless

Dorian Sugar Oct 20, 2018

Former coworker ,RAYMORE ,Missouri

Please accept my sincere sympathies. I worked with Ray at Carondelet Health and we served together on the Information Management Committee. Ray was instrumental in many aspects in moving work processes forward and I admired his expertise and professionalism. When I applied for a different job in 2004 I asked if he would be a reference for me and he agreed. That meant a lot to me. He was a terrific co-worker and a very nice person. I am happy that I had an opportunity to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Ty M COUP Nov 25, 2018

Friend and coworker ,Lawrence ,Kansas

Ray hired me into my first job in the Healthcare I/T space at Carondelet Health in 1996. I will forever be thankful to him for giving me that opportunity. He was a great boss and I enjoyed working with him over the years. We both shared a love of sports and I loved going to KSU games with him. He sure loved his Wildcats. Ray, you will be missed. RIP my fried.