Raymond David Boone was born on January 31, 1960, in Chicago, IL. He was the oldest son of Willie James and Laurenelle Boone. He was affectionately called Ray.

Ray grew up on the south side of Chicago where he attended Bradwell elementary school and graduated from South Shore High School. Ray was a positive easy-going man. He built model cars and trucks as a child and collected trains and ran them on train stations that he built as a hobby. Ray was someone people could talk to. He was a good listener. He would greet everyone with a smile.

Raymond started working at a very young age in his parent's candy store. He also worked for Solo Cup Company. He worked at Al Faber's steakhouse during the summer washing dishes with his friend Craig Williams and father Willie Williams. Ray went on to work with Mr. Williams as a helper on his truck, Weinstein Wholesale meats, where he would teach Ray to drive. He moved up the ranks fast and received his own route where he took his nephew, Brian as a helper. Ray then moved on to American Airlines where he became a Union Steward.

Ray's love for travel and trucks was always in his heart. He worked for many different trucking companies before he went to United Parcel Service (UPS Freight) for over 20 years where he worked hard to earn every endorsement possible. In 2021, he went to work for T-Force Freight after UPS Freight sold the company to them. He loved to show his ranks on his work jacket for driving doubles and triples. Ray also drove for Uber when he wasn't driving a semi.  

Ray drove all over the USA and sadly, Ray died unexpectedly in an accident at the UPS terminal in Gaffney, South Carolina on July 29, 2022.

Ray will certainly be missed by many but never forgotten. He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Christopher James Boone (CJ) who he shared with former wife Tammy Harper-Boone, both of East Chicago, Indiana; parents Willie James Boone and Laurenelle Boone of Columbia, MO; brother, Benjamin Boone of Chicago, IL; Sister-in-law, LaShonda Carter-Boone of Columbia, MO; Uncle Lionel B. Jackson, Jr. of Chicago, IL; Aunt, Texanna Boone of Chicago, IL; nephew, Brian Boone (Akia) of Phoenix, Arizona; nieces Kendyl and Kendra Boone of Columbia, MO.

Other survivors who were special in Raymond’s life include Itzamarie Vazquez, Courtney Harper, and Aryana Crittleton who he considered all his daughters; his childhood friends, Craig Williams and Karriem Beyah; Other close friends that meant a lot to him:  "Maya" Ollie Summaeyya Woodard, Ginger Anderson, & Karim Taylor; and many other relatives, co-workers and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; his brother, Kenneth Anthony Boone, Sr.; uncles, Lawrence W. Boone, Richard Perry Jackson, Jay Anthony Jackson and Arthur D. Jackson, Aunt Linda A. Jackson; and his nephew Kenneth Anthony Boone, Jr.

Friends will be received from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Parker-Millard Funeral Service, with a funeral service following at 1:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.parkermillard.com.