In Memory Of
Raymond James Calore, Sr.
1947
2022
Raymond James Calore, Sr.
June 17, 1947 — May 21, 2022
Raymond James Calore, Sr.
June 17, 1947 – May 21, 2022
Raymond James Calore, Sr, 74, of Merriam, KS, passed away on May 21, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO after an extended illness, surrounded by family.
He was born on June 17, 1947 to James Calore and Jean (Wos) Calore, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and graduated from St. Nicholas Catholic School. He served our country in the US Army as an officer and paratrooper in the Vietnam War, receiving numerous awards and merits, including the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. After his military service, Ray worked as a letter carrier for the city of Prairie Village, retiring in 2004.
Ray was a lifetime member of the Overland Park VFW Post 846, and served as its Post Commander and POW/MIA Chair, and he served as the Kansas VFW State Commander in 2012-2013. He was a member of American Legion Post 370 in Overland Park and started many of its family and outreach programs. He deeply valued the community created by those who had served their country in the military, and worked tirelessly to build that community through the VFW, the Legion, and local and state government. Much of his work centered on accounting for and bringing home POWs and MIAs, because you don't leave your family behind. He was passionate about veterans' causes, especially veterans' mental health. He reached out to younger veterans to help them transition back to civilian life and offer them resources for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Ray enjoyed music, especially karaoke at the VFW, where he could hit all the low notes. He believed strongly in family, and loved being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Many hours were spent with his kids and grandkids listening to classic country music and old comedy shows to make sure that his good taste was passed on to future generations.
Ray is survived by Dana Lane-Pflumm, of the home; his sister, Genny Calore Baxley of Cumming, GA, and her husband, Allen Baxley; his children, Kathy Teel of Mt. Vernon, MO, and her husband, Matt Teel; Carole Jean Shrontz of Glasco, KS, and her husband, Carl Shrontz, Jr.; Raymond Calore, Jr. of Olathe, KS, and his fiancée Kathie Licata; and Annie Geanes of Lee's Summit, MO, and her husband, Michael Geanes; grandchildren John Calore, Abby Teel, Sabra Teel, David Teel, Audrey Calore, Lydia Calore, Nicholas Calore, Ginny Shrontz, Molly Geanes, Adrien Elf, and Ayrin Elf; and three great-granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Calore, his father, James Calore, his brother, Joseph Calore, his fallen comrades, and many cherished friends and family members.
His family would like to thank the staff at Advent Health Shawnee Mission and Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO, for putting up with Ray and taking such good care of him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to VFW Post 846 or the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/). If you are a veteran in need of help, please reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or VeteransCrisisLine.net.
To leave a message of condolence for Raymond's family, or to share a memory, please click on the "Share Memories" button above.
June 17, 1947 – May 21, 2022
Raymond James Calore, Sr, 74, of Merriam, KS, passed away on May 21, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO after an extended illness, surrounded by family.
He was born on June 17, 1947 to James Calore and Jean (Wos) Calore, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and graduated from St. Nicholas Catholic School. He served our country in the US Army as an officer and paratrooper in the Vietnam War, receiving numerous awards and merits, including the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. After his military service, Ray worked as a letter carrier for the city of Prairie Village, retiring in 2004.
Ray was a lifetime member of the Overland Park VFW Post 846, and served as its Post Commander and POW/MIA Chair, and he served as the Kansas VFW State Commander in 2012-2013. He was a member of American Legion Post 370 in Overland Park and started many of its family and outreach programs. He deeply valued the community created by those who had served their country in the military, and worked tirelessly to build that community through the VFW, the Legion, and local and state government. Much of his work centered on accounting for and bringing home POWs and MIAs, because you don't leave your family behind. He was passionate about veterans' causes, especially veterans' mental health. He reached out to younger veterans to help them transition back to civilian life and offer them resources for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Ray enjoyed music, especially karaoke at the VFW, where he could hit all the low notes. He believed strongly in family, and loved being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Many hours were spent with his kids and grandkids listening to classic country music and old comedy shows to make sure that his good taste was passed on to future generations.
Ray is survived by Dana Lane-Pflumm, of the home; his sister, Genny Calore Baxley of Cumming, GA, and her husband, Allen Baxley; his children, Kathy Teel of Mt. Vernon, MO, and her husband, Matt Teel; Carole Jean Shrontz of Glasco, KS, and her husband, Carl Shrontz, Jr.; Raymond Calore, Jr. of Olathe, KS, and his fiancée Kathie Licata; and Annie Geanes of Lee's Summit, MO, and her husband, Michael Geanes; grandchildren John Calore, Abby Teel, Sabra Teel, David Teel, Audrey Calore, Lydia Calore, Nicholas Calore, Ginny Shrontz, Molly Geanes, Adrien Elf, and Ayrin Elf; and three great-granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Calore, his father, James Calore, his brother, Joseph Calore, his fallen comrades, and many cherished friends and family members.
His family would like to thank the staff at Advent Health Shawnee Mission and Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO, for putting up with Ray and taking such good care of him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to VFW Post 846 or the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/). If you are a veteran in need of help, please reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or VeteransCrisisLine.net.
To leave a message of condolence for Raymond's family, or to share a memory, please click on the "Share Memories" button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond James Calore, Sr., please visit our flower store.
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