FRED A. RALEIGH  

Fred A. Raleigh, 89, of Ewing, Mo., died April 26, 2024 at Country Aire Retirement Estates in Lewistown, Mo.

He was born March 26, 1935 in Williamstown, Mo., a son of Lewis Frances and Kathryn Irene Gibson Raleigh. Fred was raised on the family farm with his seven brothers. He was a graduate of Ewing High School. He was inducted into the US Army on June 15, 1954 and separated from the service on May 26, 1956. Fred received a rifle marksmanship award while in the Army and sent many cuckcoo clocks home from Germany to his future wife, sister-in-law and mother-in-law. After returning from the service, Fred married Ruth Lois Bevill on July 13, 1957 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He later married Marilyn Faye Bailey on May 30, 1995 in Monticello, Mo.  She passed away, March 15, 2023.

Fred sold insurance, Cen-Pe-Co Oil, Warsaw Feed, worked in construction and later worked for Lewis County as the Southern Commissioner. Fred also spent many years helping his son on the farm. Fred was an athlete throughout his life, playing baseball and softball, and became an avid golfer. He celebrated a hole in one at Three-Pines Golf Course on Hole #7 on August 4, 1999. Although he had no formal musical training, there wasn’t a song he couldn’t play by ear on the harmonica, guitar or keyboard. Fred was known in the surrounding areas for singing and playing instruments in jam sessions for any size audience. No family gathering was complete without a sing-along with Papa Fred and his guitar. Fred also enjoyed playing cards, watching professional golf, the Cubs, mushroom hunting, birdwatching, just a real small piece of dessert and visiting with family and friends, as he didn’t know a stranger. Fred was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the Lewis County Memorial American Legion Post and Auxiliary Unit 578, and was a founding member of Three-Pines Golf Course.

Survivors include one son, Victor (Carrie) Raleigh of Ewing; one daughter, Anita (Scott) Melvin of Quincy, llL; step son, Rob (Margaret) Bailey of Yankton, S.D.; step daughter, Kristi (Paul) Rasmussen of Savannah, Mo.; grandchildren, Jessica (Tony) Williams of Quincy, Jackie (Nate) Bruns of Quincy, Presley (Theo) Dean of Kirksville, Mo., Bronson (Ashley) Melvin of O’Fallon, Mo., and step granddaughter, Katarina Rasmussen of Savannah, Mo.; ten great grandchildren, Abigail, Luke, Paige and Emily Bliven, Oliver, Winnie, Nora and Louie Bruns, Theo and Mina Dean, and Dawson Melvin arriving in May; one brother, William (Lovina) Raleigh of Ewing and several nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brothers, Francis, Harold, Edwin, Leo, Raymond “Joe”, Charles and Lewis Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ewing with Fr. Callistus Okoroji officiating. Visitation was April 29, 2024 at the Ball-Davis Funeral Home in Ewing. Pallbearers: Scott Melvin, Bronson Melvin, Tony Williams, David Raleigh, Luke Bliven and Nate Bruns. Honorary pallbearers: Jessica Williams, Jackie Bruns, and Presley Dean. Music provided by Steve McKenzie

Burial with Military Honors was in the Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery in Ewing.  

The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri, Queen of Peace Catholic Church or to Heartland Resources in care of Ball-Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 272, Ewing, MO 63440.

 Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com.