POYNER, Raymond Paul

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, August 16, 2007 Raymond Paul Poyner, born Sept. 10, 1926, in Cowgill, Mo., died Aug. 14, 2007, in Prescott, Ariz. He grew up in Caldwell and Ray Counties in Missouri, and attended Stet, Mo. schools. He entered the Merchant Marine Cadet Corps in June of 1944. As a cadet, he served on the merchant ship Afoundria that carried troops to the battle of Okinawa in April 1945. After graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Great Neck, Long Island, N.Y., in December 1946, he immediately went to sea as an engine room second officer. In September 1947 he entered University of Missouri Engineering School, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in June 1951. From 1953-55, he served as an active-duty lieutenant in the Navy Reserve. Mr. Poyner was married to Betty Marie Tweedie on Sept. 1, 1949. For over 20 years he worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company and International Harvester Company developing diesel truck engines. He also worked for United Technologies Systems in Connecticut for eight years as a quality engineer. He retired in 1991 and moved to Prescott, Ariz., where he was active in local politics, and was an avid hiker and tennis player. Surviving are his wife Betty and three children, Kay Poyner Brown of Brookfield, Ill., Russell Poyner of Madison, Wis., and Richard Poyner of Acton, Mass., and five grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Wallace Poyner, of Higginsville, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Claudine Poyner. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Ave., Prescott, Ariz. Funeral services will be at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, Mo., on Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to The Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd., Suite 277, Phoenix, Ariz., 85004. Information provided by survivors.