Verl Dean Pray

Verl Dean Pray, age 85, of Dows, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls.

Memorial services were held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at Dugger Funeral Home in Dows. Burial took place at Northlawn Memory Gardens in Iowa Falls.

Verl Dean, son of Ronald and Ethel (Christopher) Pray, was born on July 5, 1931 in Iowa Falls. Verl attended and graduated from Popejoy High School in 1950. After graduating high school, Verl joined the United States Air Force in 1951, serving in San Antonio, Texas. He went on to Rantoul, Illinois for jet electronics school, and then to Presque Isle, Maine for jet mechanics school. Verl was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant 1st Class.

In 1955, Verl was united in marriage with Doris Kempthorne. The couple had two children: Valerie and Mark.

Verl farmed for many  years, owned and operated a truck line and bought and sold grain, hauling to the river points. He invented and produced polished aluminum wheel inserts for trucks and RVs. He designed and built a four station bird feeder pole and also a locking arm for sliding glass doors. One of his favorite designs was an electric lift for boats on and off their lift stations. He enjoyed making or repairing an item for farm equipment when a part was not available.

Verl is survived by his daughter Valerie (Garry) VanVerpen of Emory, Texas; son Mark Pray of Dows; Doris Pray of Dows; sisters Carol Christensen of Popejoy and Lucille Dawson of Dows; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ronald and Ethel Pray.