Raymond E. Simonich

Raymond Eugene Simonich, 76 of Kansas City, KS passed away on October 18, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family. Ray, as he was affectionately called, was an honored lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kansas. He was the proud middle child of Frank and Catherine. Ray was educated in the Kansas City, KS, Catholic, and Public school systems and graduated from Washington High School in 1966. After high school, Raymond attended Donnelly College, where he received his Associate's Degree. Ray continued his educational endeavors at the Justin and Jeanine “GPS” School, earning an esteemed certificate of completion and a newfound freedom. Ray was a man of principle and deep faith. Besides his love of Strawberry Hill, his Slovenian Heritage, and The Roman Catholic Church, his love of his country was second to none. When his time came to serve honorably, he answered the call putting country above self. As a member of the 2nd Battalion of the 94th Artillery in the US Army, he served from February 1969 until his honorable discharge in December 1971. In 1975, Ray joined the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department and spent the next 33 years cementing a career that fostered his duty of public service as a dispatcher. A role that led him to meet the love of his life, his Honey Angel, Paula, his wife of 40 years. Ray served on the Fire and Police Credit Union Board and met many of his lifelong friends attending the Firefighters Relief Association and Union picnics. Raymond had the honor of retiring in 2008 after a career filled with service, and sacrifice, often gladly working the night shift so Paula could be home with their three sons, Eric, Paul, and Justin. One of the greatest titles Raymond answered to was Dad. The love and pride he carried for his sons will never be measured in a million lifetimes. Whether it was sitting in the bleachers in the pouring rain in Atchison, waking up early on a cool winter morning to drive to swim practice, or running through the rolling hills of Rim Rock to “meet you at the line.” Ray was immensely proud of his sons and the legacy they’ve created. Raymond was honored to answer to the only title that could compete with Dad, Grandpa. He was blessed with seven grandchildren. His devotion to their passions was unmatched as he loved sharing their stories, successes, and life updates with anyone who would listen. Besides his treasured Cubbies, his grandchildren always knew their team was Grandpa’s favorite. He quietly, but proudly, would be cheering from the sideline beaming from ear to ear. Raymond often took the chance to explore the country he so greatly loved by taking trips with his buddies to South Bend, IN to see his beloved Irish play, train trips to Chicago to see his Cubbies at Wrigley Field, and sitting rink side cheering on his Blackhawks for a hockey game. As an avid sports fan, he crisscrossed the country making sure he caught as many sporting events as possible. Ray had a unique ability to make you feel like the biggest person in the room whether it was stories swapped over a piva at the Holy Family Social Club, a phone call to discuss the dog days of summer, a newspaper clipping sent in the mail because it reminded him of you, the call on your half birthday or name day, or the childhood photo slipped inside a Hallmark card sealed with a sticker. Ray was the sweetest, most generous, human being on this planet, and the world was better for it. He is survived by his three sons Eric and his wife Keri (Aiden, Garrett, and Connor) of Omaha, NE; Paul and his wife Emily (Clark and Addison); and Justin and his wife Elizabeth (Luke and Amelia). He also leaves his brother Frank W. and wife Donna; and his sister Sandra Simonich. He was preceded in death by his father Frank A. and his mother Catherine (Veselich) Simonich; his wife Paula (Burham) Simonich; sister-in-law Judith (Reardon) Simonich; sister-in-law Karla (Burnham) and brother-in-law David Hubbard of Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, Raymond has graciously requested donations be given to Holy Family Catholic Church or the Bishop Ward High School Rose and Anton Simonich Scholarship Fund. While his time here with us is complete, he now gets to spend eternity with his Honey Angel perpetually counting down the days until spring. Visitation will be held, Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at Skradski Funeral Home, 340 N 6th St, Kansas City, KS 66101. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 10:30 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 274 Orchard Street, Kansas City, KS 66101. Burial will be following mass beginning at 1:30 pm at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.