Search by Name

Search by Name

Richard Raney

1928 - 2017

Richard Raney obituary, 1928-2017

BORN

1928

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Warren-McElwain Mortuary Lawrence Chapel

120 West 13th

Lawrence, Kansas

Richard Raney Obituary

Richard "Dick" Hardman Raney, 88, of Lawrence passed away May 16, 2017. He was born July 2, 1928, to Richard M. and Mildred Hardman Raney in Osborne, Kansas.

Dick graduated Osborne High School and entered KU in 1945. He earned degrees in business administration in 1950 and pharmacy in 1952. In June 1952, he married Kathleen Larson, also a KU graduate. They had 2 wonderful children, Michelle in 1954 and Richard B. in 1955. Dick and his father founded the first Raney Drug Store at 9th and Massachusetts. They later opened one at 9th and Iowa and another at 18th and Massachusetts. He and his father would go on to develop the Hillcrest Shopping Center at the 9th and Iowa location. Dick operated these stores for 46 years before selling them to the Kroger Co.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Dick enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed spending summer months in Pinedale, Wyoming, after retiring. There he and Kathleen would host family and friends. He was also a dedicated tennis player for many years.

During his years in Lawrence, Dick served on many boards, including the Ballard Center, Cottonwood, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, KANU, KU's Natural History and Biodiversity Museum, and Friends of the KU Library. He was elected to the Lawrence City Commission and served as mayor in 1967. He was instrumental in the passage of the Lawrence Fair Housing ordinance, which provided housing protections to all citizens of Lawrence, and the development of the Lawrence public pool. Several of these experiences have been covered in books, including Bill Moyers' Listening to America. He was a member of the Lawrence Rotary Club, and a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church for 71 years. As well as founding member of the Saturday noon lunch group.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard B. (1983); daughter, Michelle (2006); and wife, Kathleen (2015). He is succeeded by his grandchildren, Jehren Eugene of Overland Park, Kansas; Jonathan Richard and Fernanda Raney of Lawrence; great-grandchildren, Jackson Richard and Gabriela Santos of Lawrence, and Amora Michelle and Roman Curtis of Overland Park, Kansas.

A private inurnment will take place at Pioneer Cemetery followed by a service at Plymouth Congregational Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Plymouth Congregational Church or the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Oncology Unit in his name and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on May 19, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Raney

Not sure what to say?





I was a pharmacy student who worked at Raney Drugs in 1992, or 1993. I remember that there was always something fun happening at Raney's. (In face, I'm writing a TV sit-com pilot about it. Hopefully it will get picked up so Mr. Raney's legacy will continue. As we used to say in pharmacy school, he was a real "piller" of the community. (Thanks Mr. Raney for giving me a job when I needed one.)

Niki Galiano

December 30, 2018

We will miss you as our neighbor in the Cora valley. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.

charlee thomson

May 27, 2017

I worked at 9th and Iowa back in the 60's. I remember him but not well. Last time I was in Lawrence I saw the pharmacy was gone,but I have good memories of my time working there! RIP

Sandy Thomson

May 21, 2017

I remember Dick Raney from my childhood, and worked at Keeler's Bookstore on Massachusetts Street for several years, which was close to Raney's. Dick was the best friend of my uncle, Melvin Clyde Cottom. A few years ago I was visiting my father, Bill Pendleton, and we ate at the Eldridge Hotel. I was happy to find out that seated at the next table was Mr. Raney, as well as some family and football players. He always had a smile on his face. May the Lord Jesus comfort all who mourn.

Helen Pendleton Rumbaut

May 20, 2017

The Raney Drug Store was always a busy place downtown. The store out by the Dillon's had a little lunch counter and a couple of tables. It was a popular place for a quick bite of good food and meeting up with friends/family when in Lawrence. Mr Raney certainly gave so much for the betterment of the whole community of Lawrence by his involvement. He and his wife were blessings to the area. Thank you for sharing these remembrances of him. Elizabeth Weeks Woods

Elizabeth Woods

May 20, 2017

Well Dick I hope I am as mobile as you when and if I become 88 years old. RIP.

Thanks a lot for allowing me and my family to work with you and Kathleen at your home for so many years it has truly been a pleasure.

Kathleen and Dick = truly wonderful people.

Richard Heckler

May 20, 2017

Very few are blessed to have friends like Dick. He richly blessed and profoundly touched my life.

Butch Henderson

May 19, 2017

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in Richard Raney's name

Memorial Events
for Richard Raney

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Warren-McElwain Mortuary Lawrence Chapel

120 West 13th, Lawrence, KS 66044

How to support Richard's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Richard Raney's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more