Ray Naylor

Ray Charles Naylor, 73, of Altoona, Iowa, formerly of Mission, Kansas, died unexpectedly from pneumonia at Lutheran Hospital on November 15, 2012. Ray was the first born to Alva W. and Katherine M. Naylor in Kansas City, MO. on July 25, 1939. He had been residing in Altoona, Iowa, since 1989, after a serious traumatic brain injury that left him with memory loss.

Ray attended the Conservatory of Music at UMKC, the Universitiy of Florida at Tampa, and then returned home to finish school at KU in Lawrence, KS. Ray worked with many well-known musicians, such as Richard Halligan who later went on to play with Blood Sweat, and Tears. As well, Ray played with internationally known musicians, some he had the pleasure of teaching guitar lessons to.

Ray was a very accomplished musician, playing mainly the lead guitar with groups such as The Commancheros with Jack Patucek, who recently in 2010 had the honor of being inducted in the Kansas Music Hall of Fame for their talent. The group played in Lawrence, Kansas, and later Kansas City MO, from 1962-1964. Ray opened Santa Fe Music Store in Olathe, Kansas, in 1964 and Wyandotte Plaza Music Center in Kansas City, KS from 1967-78. H started a Jazz combo in the late 60's, The Ray Naylor Trio, featuring Jazz vocalist Ida Macbeth of Kansas City, MO. They played at numerous locations, including the Playboy club.

After Ray's TBI, he resided in a facility for brain injury from 1991- present, founded specifically for him by his sister, Karen, and brother-in-law, Jerry Armstrong, known as Victorian Acres Rehabilitation.

Ray is predeceased by his parents, and leaves behind a daughter, Nancy Calvin- Naylor, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; a brother, Paul Naylor, Woodstock, NY; a sister, Karen S. Armstrong, of Altoona, IA; a brother Robert G. (Vicki) Naylor of Overland Park, Kansas; a sister Alice L. (Don) Pearce of Missouri City, Texas; and three grandchildren, Kyle Tramposh, Sophia Tramposh, and Garrett Birk; and two great-grandchildren, Harley and Colton Tramposh.

A visitation will be held at noon, Saturday November 17, with funeral services following at 1:00 p.m., at Hamilton's Funeral Home in Altoona, IA. He will be buried with his parents at the Platte City Cemetery in Platte City, MO, the following week. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his Church, Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, IA.

Condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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