Raymond Holdgrafer

Raymond "Cowboy" Holdgrafer, 75, passed away Monday July 22, 2013 at his home. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Friday August 30, from 4-9pm at High Meadows Shelter at Gate 4, West Lake Park Davenport, Iowa.  Memorials can be made to the family in his memory for expenses and a memorial bench.

Ray was born March 13, 1938 on the family farm in Stephen, Minnesota the son of Walter and Catherine (Sourdif) Holdgrafer.  He united in marriage to Sara "Jeanette" Estell on November 18, 1961 in Rock Island, IL They had three children together and also helped raise Jeanette's younger brothers, Jerry, Ken and John Estell for a time. They later divorced and Ray then moved to Texas and remarried to a Nadine Parsons, they too divorced. Raymond retired in 2002 from Willamette Industries Arlington, TX.  In his life he also was in the United States Air Force, worked at Rockingham Machine in Pleasant Valley, IA, a volunteer EMT on the Pleasant Valley Fire Department, a volunteer Texas Ranger.  Ray also gave to the Humane Society and St Joseph's Indian School.  He enjoyed collecting and watching old western movies and attending the local farmers markets and buying goodies for friends and neighbors.  He was a pillar of the community where ever he went.  Loved by his family, neighbors and friends he made on his way and always told jokes and lent a helping hand when he could even if he could not afford to. "The Cowboy" or "Uncle Ray" he was known as to the neighbor kids as he brought them gifts and candy.

Raymond will be remembered by his daughter Sharon (Richard) Thompson, Bettendorf, IA; two sons Steven Holdgrafer also of Bettendorf, and Dr. Rodney Holdgrafer of Philadelphia, PA; two granddaughters , Stefanie (Ricky)Geerts  and Jennifer (Alex) Herrera; his great-granddaughter Kaylynn who called him her GGP; special granddog Bandit; sister Carol (Edward) Weaver, Davenport, IA many nieces and nephews and two great nieces and many other friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joyce and brothers Bill and Rodger.

Condolences can be made to Raymond's family by visiting his obituary at www.mcginnis-chambers.com .  The family would like to give a big Thank You to the Davenport Police Department and Andy and the rest of the staff at McGinnis-Chambers for being so understanding and caring at this difficult and unexpected time with Raymond's passing.