[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

JURRENS, Ray LeRoy 1949-2005

JURRENS, BIGGS, SIMMONS, ROYEK, PROFFITT

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/1/2009 at 17:27:11

Ray LeRoy Jurrens

CHARLES CITY — On Friday (July 29, 2005) God chose to take our beloved "Skeet" to Heaven following a courageous battle with cancer. At his side were his loving wife, Judy; son, Chris; step-daughter, Jodi; and grandsons, Gunnar and Carter.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City with the Rev. A.C. Wegner officiating. Military respects will be conducted by the Charles City Honor Guards (Charles City Ceremonial Unit). No public visitation is planned prior to the service at the cemetery.

Ray LeRoy Jurrens, 56, known lovingly by his family and friends as "Skeet" or "Skeeter," was born on June 8, 1949, to Robert and Madeline (Biggs) Jurrens. He was raised by his mother and Kenneth Simmons, whom he also called "Dad." Skeet attended and graduated from Charles City High School in 1967 and was a life-long resident of Charles City, with the exception of time spent serving his country during the Vietnam War.

Skeet entered into the U.S. Army in 1969, where he was a front line machine gunner until 1970. He proudly wore a Combat Infantry Badge and his Screaming Eagle patch (101st Airborne Division), signifying his earned jump wings. He earned a Bronze Star for his endeavors of Vietnam. In 1971, Skeet was honorably discharged and returned home to Charles City. Skeet was well-known among his fellow veterans as a man dedicated to serving on the VFW Honor Guard. This past Memorial Day, Skeet completed his final 21-gun salute at a ceremony honoring all veterans who have served their country. He was a life member of the VFW Post 3914 and a member of American Legion Post 0174, both of Charles City.

Skeet was a hard worker and wonderful provider for his family. At the age of 12, he worked at Springer Bait Shop, and at age 14, at Ellendale Dairy for Chuck Trainer, sometimes beginning his milk route as early as 4 a.m. In 1967, Skeet was employed full-time at Oliver, but still assisted Chuck whenever he could. Following a layoff at Oliver, Skeet worked in Minnesota at Hormel until 1985. In 1987, Skeet was employed by Dan Crawford at Diversified Manufacturing in Charles City as a machinist. He regretfully had to cease work in January 2005 due to his ill health attributed to cancer. Skeet thoroughly loved his job and his fellow employees and they, too, had a great liking and respect for him.

Skeet was a wonderful father. In 1972, he married his first wife, Sue Royek, and adopted her daughter, Alicia. On March 5, 1980, his son, Christopher, was born, his pride and joy! He treasured spending all his free time with his children, teaching them life's lessons and also the fun side of life, such as hunting, fishing, golfing in the yard, playing ball or just hanging out together. One of Skeet's favorite stories was when Chris golfed his rain gage! Skeet considered himself Chris' "Big Buddy" and Chris was his father's "Little Buddy!"

Skeet was a devoted husband. On Nov. 17, 1988, he met the love of his life, Judy Otto Proffitt. They were joined in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on Aug. 17, 1991. In entering this union, Skeet was blessed with two step-children, Jason and Jodi Proffitt, who thought dearly of their "other Dad."

In 1996, Chris became "Big Buddy" when Skeet's grandson, Gunnar, was born. He was a loving Papa and relished time with his new "Little Buddy!" In 2002, grandson, Carter, was born. Papa was their best friend and the two came by daily to spend time and play. He taught the same wonderful lessons of life as he taught his children and developed a close and special bond with them.

Skeet enjoyed collecting firearms, but his passion was the ability to shoot them. He taught his family not only how to shoot, but also respect guns. Skeet spent many hours hunting and target shooting with his family. In his leisure time, Skeet loved to asparagus hunt in the ditches with Chris. He would later offer and give away the delicacy to his friends and family. He continued this tradition with Judy and later his grandsons, still climbing in and out of the ditches, even in pain, just to share the asparagus they loved.

Skeet was a loving and caring man. He was a big racing fan of about any race, but particularly cheering for NASCAR with Big Dale No. 3, his hero. He now joins hero No. 3 in that big race track in the sky!

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 13 years, Judy Jurrens, of Charles City; his son, Christopher (special acquaintance, Meghan) Jurrens, of Ames; his daughter, Alicia (Mike) Tobin of Charles City; his step-daughter, Jodi Proffitt of Charles City; and step-son, Jason (Robyn) Proffitt of New Hampton. He will also be sadly missed by his six grandchildren: Gunnar and Carter of Charles City, MacKenzie of Arizona, and Valerie, Matthew, and Michael of Charles City; his brother, Jim (Marnie) Jurrens of Texas; his half-sister, Cheryl (Darrin) Simmons Schiltz of Minnesota; his aunt, Mary Varner Marth, of North Carolina; and numerous nieces; nephews; and other relatives; and friends.

Preceding Skeet in death are his parents; his step-father; his uncles, Richard (Dick) Jurrens and Mike Varner; and his grandparents, Grandpa and Grandma Bigg, Grandpa and Grandma Jurrens and Grandpa and Grandma Simmons.

Although Skeet will be greatly missed in our daily lives, we believe him to be in a far better and beautiful place.

Fullerton Hage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 228-4211. www.fullertonfh.com.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]


 

Floyd Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]