Jesse Ray Core

Jesse Ray Core, one of five children of Minnie Edith (Neighbors) and Jesse Alpha Core, was born at his parent's home west of Carson, Iowa on September 5, 1924. Ray grew up in Carson and graduated from Carson High School in 1942. Following high school, he enlisted in the US Army and served in the Infantry in Europe during World War II. Following the service, he returned home to Carson and farmed with his dad. Ray and Betty Brammer were married in 1948 in Carson. The marriage was blessed with their son, James Alpha. The couple later divorced. Ray ran a small asphalt trucking company and worked for several different construction companies in Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska. He helped with the paving of Highways 92, 6, and 59 in Pottawattamie County. On September 26, 1966, Ray and Betty June (Brown) McMullen were married in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Betty's children, Claudia, Beverly, Ginny, Julie, Brian and Robert completed the new family. In 1968, the family moved to Henderson, Iowa. Ray began selling animal feed and supplements for many companies in southwest Iowa. He enjoyed horses and rodeos and helped start the Carson Rodeo. Ray and Betty...[more]

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re members of the Henderson Christian Church. They had been married 21 years when Betty passed away on November 21, 1987. Ray continued to live in their home in Henderson. In 2004, due to failing health, Ray moved to the Perry Lutheran Home in Perry, Iowa. He died at the Lutheran Home on February 22, 2008 at the age of 83 years, 5 months, and 17 days. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty June Core; three year old sister Ilene Core; brother Robert Core and wife Fena; stepson Robert McMullen; brother-in-law Joe Butera; and step son-in-law Bob Rowden. Ray is survived by his son, James A. Core and wife Sue of Adel, IA; step children, Claudia Hoover and husband Herb of Henderson, IA, Beverly Boulware and husband Ed of Parkville, MO, Ginny Houston of Omaha, NE, Julie Rowden, Brian McMullen and wife Kim, all of Kansas City, MO; 14 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sisters Nadine Butera of Omaha and Imogene Rodenburg and husband Raymond "Bud" of Minden, IA; other relatives and friends. Friends may call on the family Wednesday, one hour prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the Carson American Legion.