Raymond J. Stovie

Raymond J. Stovie

Cedar Rapids

Raymond J. Stovie, 98, passed away February 21, 2025. A vigil will be held at Cedar Memorial on Thursday, February 27 at 3:30 pm followed by a visitation from 4:00-7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at All Saints Catholic Church on Friday, February 28 at 10:00 am followed by a luncheon at the church. The burial, with military honors, will be held at Cedar Memorial at 1:00 pm. Family and friends may visit at All Saints Catholic Church between 9:00-10:00 am.

Our family lost our leader. Ray Stovie lived life as a strong-willed, dependable, and loving man. Born in a farmhouse in Newman Grove, NE as the sixth of eight children, he worked and lived to be self-dependent. On his 18th birthday, he joined the Navy and fought on the USS Windsor attack transport with five battle stars on the Pacific Ocean and Okinawa, Japan in World War II. After being enlisted in the Navy for eight years, he came home to Omaha and married his only love, Cecelia, and began working for Wilson Packing Company in Omaha, NE. In 1961, he was transferred to Cedar Rapids, IA and promoted to Division Superintendent. Ray worked for Wilsons for 47 years.

Ray and Cecilia raised his five children in Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by his wife Cecilia, and his sons, Tom and Craig. Survivors include his daughter Cindy (Sam) Dirksen of Hampton, IA; Sons; John (Debby) Stovie of Chicago, IL; and Brad (Becky) Stovie of Cedar Rapids, IA; 16 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Ray was a devout Catholic who loved time with his family and he golfed daily. He was proud of being a father, a loving husband, a veteran, and an operations manager. Ray was President of RCJB, a company he founded with Cecilia, for 30 years retiring at 78 years old.

Our father left us on his brother Jerald’s birthday who was his best friend throughout his life. We know Jerald and he are still celebrating. Our dad was our rock, our mentor, and our friend. We will miss his smile, long talks where we both laughed and cried. He will be missed daily.

Online condolences may be left for the family at cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.