Lawrence E. McRay, 78, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away Sunday afternoon, December 21, 2014 at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita.

Born July 6, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee, he was the son of Anthony Cleo and Annie Laurie (Beard) McRay. He was raised and received his education in Memphis and attended Humes High School. In 1954, he joined the United States Army and proudly served his country in Japan during the Korean Conflict. In 1963, Lawrence joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. He was honorably discharged in 1967.

Lawrence married Marylyn Munsch on February 19, 1965 in North Dakota. To this union, four children were born. Shortly after being discharged from the Air Force, he moved to Northern California and went to work at McClellan Air Force Base with the Civil Service. He later moved to Pascagoula, Mississippi where he worked for Litton Industries. While in Mississippi, Mr. McRay attended the University of Southern Mississippi and received a Bachelors Degree. He then went to work for Stanwick International and was sent to Iran where he engineered shipping infrastructure. In 1978, Lawrence returned to California and began his career as an engineer for General Dynamics. While with General Dynamics, he was transferred to Camden, Arkansas for two years and then returned to California. He remained with the company until retiring in 1991.

In 1999, Mr. McRay was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and in 2005 he moved to Ripley, Mississippi to be near his siblings. He moved to Wichita, Kansas in 2010 to be near his children.

He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, oil painting, and working on old cars.

His family includes:
His daughters: Laura Bohnstedt and husband, Donny of Apple Valley, CA; Lynne Litterini and husband, Jim of River Edge, NJ;
His sons: Mark McRay of Wichita, KS; Michael McRay and wife, Jeni of Wichita, KS;
His brother: Phillip McRay and wife, Ann of Holly Springs, MS;
His sisters: Cheyenne Hunt of Ashland, MS; Betty McRay of Holly Springs, MS; Sandra Garner of Holly Springs, MS; and
His 12 grandchildren and a great grandchild.

In addition to his parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by a brother, Anthony McRay, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, Kansas. Interment and military committal honors will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, December 29, 2014 from noon to 5:00 P.M.

Memorials have been established in Lawrence's name for Catholic Charities and for the St. Jude's Hospital. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.