Melvin Ray Ginn, 98, and lifelong Abbyville resident, died at his home December 19, 2024. He was born August 4, 1926, in the family’s farmhouse, rural Abbyville, to Melvin Curtis and Sarah Martha (Dunn) Ginn.
Ray attended a one-room school house and graduated as Valedictorian from Arlington High School, in 1944. He immediately entered the United States Army Air Corps, serving during World War II, from 1944 to 1945 as a flight engineer. After his military service, Ray returned to the family farm. After the sudden death of his father, Ray took over the family farm. He loved all aspects of farm life, from raising crops to raising cattle. At one point, Ray even raised peacocks. He was a humble, simple man, and an avid follower of the KU men’s basketball team and Kansas City Chiefs. Ray was a lifelong member of the Abbyville Community Church.
Ray is survived by his two loving sisters, Lois Eskew of Penalosa and Beverly Kightlinger of Hutchinson, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; sisters, Murial J. Ginn and Melba Smith; and brothers-in-law, Lee Eskew, Norman E. Kightlinger, and Donald Smith.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2024, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastors Dale Levering and Keith Dellenbach officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Abbyville Community Church, 201 West Avenue G, Abbyville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Abbyville Community Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.