Raymond D. Fankhouser

R. D. was born in Hardesty, Oklahoma, on October 31, 1936, to Orville (Slim) and Alice Pearl Fankhouser.  He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Springfield, Colorado.  He was baptized in Lawton, Oklahoma in 1960.  R. D. was a member of the choir and attended the adult Sunday school sessions.  Jesus called R. D. home on October 2, 2011.   R. D. was the first of ten siblings to graduate from high school.  R.D. graduated from County High School in Pueblo, Colorado.  After high school he was in the military in Augusta, Georgia, as a special 4 lineman.   Later the military transferred R. D. to Lawton, Oklahoma, in communications.  This training led to his occupation (the phone man) with Mountain Bell Phone Company, after 36 years of service he retired from U.S. West Phone Company.   Rodeo began for R. D. when he was a sophomore in high school.  R. D.  primarily competed in the team roping.  He was the president of the Springfield Little Britches for 3 years.  R. D. was a member of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.  He was a life member of the United States Team Roping Association and longtime member of the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association.  R. D. won his first team roping saddle at Lamar, Colorado, at the bright young age of 62. R. D. spent hours practicing team roping with his boys and friends.   R. D. (Lefty) was a life-time member of the Johnson Golf Club in Johnson, Kansas.  He enjoyed golfing with his grandsons and boys.     R. D. and wife Peggy spent hours watching their grandchildren compete in sporting events ranging from: football, basketball, track, volleyball, rodeo, and golfing events.  His grandchildren all knew and would call to make sure grandpa was coming to watch or play with them.   R. D.  was married June 28th to his wife Peggy, for 52 years.  They were fortunate enough to celebrate their 50 Year wedding anniversary.  To this union they had two boys, Ray and Ron.     R. D. is preceded in death by his parents:  Orville (Slim) Fankhouser, Alice Pearl Johnston / Fankhouser along with 4 brothers and 2 sisters.     R. D. surviving relatives include the following:  His wife Peggy of the home, his sons, Ray & wife Deandra, and their children Trey, Quentin, and Denver, all of Goodwell, Oklahoma.  His other son Ron and wife Jayme, and their children Casidy, Carly, Jaylyne, and Jody all of Copeland, Kansas.  His sister Bernice Lamson of Anchorage, Alaska.  His brother Earl Fankhouser and wife Darlene of Burlington, Colorado and sister Winnie Potter of Pueblo, Colorado.   R. D. is loved and will be dearly missed by all.