Raymond “Ray” Poteet

Memorial services for Raymond “Ray” C. Poteet, 76, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Rev City Church in Lawrence. Ray passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Ray was born on March 10, 1947 in Kansas City, KS, the son of Bob C. Poteet, Sr. and Sarah D. (Thomas) Poteet.

He ran track and cross country in high school at Wyandotte.  Ray attended the University of Kansas on a cross country scholarship where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry.  He also attended Law School before entering the financial world 51 years ago. Ray was the founder of Alpha and Omega Financial Services (Living Wealth) in Lawrence.  That company was established in 1972 and went from selling insurance to becoming a full-service financial planning and investment firm.   Ray became the leading expert with the Infinite Banking Concept over the last 20 years which led to Private Family Financing which he perfected with everyone he came in contact with.

Ray was a committed Christian and lived his life to the glory of God and his personal savior Jesus Christ.  He was not satisfied with merely attending Church, but felt strongly that all his actions and those of his company were consistent with his spiritual beliefs.

He married Imy Stimatze on September 13, 1968 in Kansas City, KS.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his three daughters, Jodi Rae Schlesener, Heather Faith (Terry) Graves, both of Lawrence, Holly Noel (Charlie) Reed, Flower Mound, Texas; nine grandchildren, Ashley (Nate) Scott, Payden Schlesener, Caiti Schlesener, Bryttni Schlesener, Deavynn Schlesener, Kaelen Reed, Tayren Reed, Teagen Reed, Wyatt Graves; three great grandchildren, Benaiah Scott, Daniel Scott, Samuel Scott; and brother, Bobby C. Poteet, Jr.

Proceeding him in death were Bob Poteet and Sarah (Poteet) Gouby (his parents), Ruth (Boots) Carlton (his sister), and Olivia Graves (his granddaughter).

The family suggests memorials in Ray’s name to Advancing the Kingdom and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

This link can be used to view the live service/memorial. my.revcity.com/poteet

37 Condolences

  1. Vania Krell on March 17, 2023 at 11:01 am

    I am so sorry for you loss.

    If there is one thing I remember about Ray is his challenge to me to be bold and ask
    for what I need. To never be afraid and be courageous!!
    Praying lots of grace and peace over the whole family.



  2. Tammy Gearhart on March 17, 2023 at 11:37 am

    So sorry for your loss. I’m so grateful I was able to have time with Uncle Ray in Hawaii. It was his happy place. Love until we meet again.



  3. Lea Nocas on March 17, 2023 at 1:49 pm

    Dheere, Poteet, family,

    The Nocas, family truly mourns with you for the loss of your wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother.

    Ray truly was a man, a legend! What an honor and privilege, and blessing to know him, and to be mentored by him!

    We truly have been blessed by the Poteet family through the years in many ways, including friendship, love, hospitality, financial, mentoring, and so much more. We pray blessings on you all as you walk through grieving the loss of Ray, and please let us know if there’s anyway we can be a blessing to you!

    Isn’t it wonderful to know that you are not saying goodbye for eternity but only for now, for a short while longer! God bless you all.



  4. Megan Whitebread on March 17, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Ray for his robust laugh, generosity, love for family, and boldness. Much love,
    Chad and Megan



  5. Sean and Suzy Irwin. on March 17, 2023 at 3:22 pm

    Our hearts a broken. You will be missed dearly. Thank you for all you taught me for the time I was privilege to know you.



  6. Kathy White on March 17, 2023 at 6:22 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear this news. My love and prayers go out to you Imy and all your family and friends. May God’s presence be felt stronger than ever in these times.



  7. Loren Pollack on March 18, 2023 at 9:01 am

    I am very sorry to hear this news. Ray was a very special man who will be deeply missed. I called Ray out of the blue for help and advice and from there we created a special bond. Ray even jumped on a plane to come meet me in person.

    My prayers and condolences are with Ray and all who loved him.

    RIP RAY 🙏🙏🙏🙏 IBC HEAVEN …….



  8. Hope Cooper on March 18, 2023 at 9:01 am

    My deepest sympathies. Ray was a man that left a deep mark on me and many others. May Gods peace comfort Imy and the family.



  9. Ruth Foster on March 18, 2023 at 9:13 am

    Oh Imy, My heart is with yours and your family as you process what’s happened. May our precious Lord draw near and May His presence surround you. I’m praying for you all. Love , Ruth



  10. Glen & Margaret Zacher on March 18, 2023 at 10:25 am

    Our deepest condolences. Ray was such a great mentor and educator. His passion for helping others will be greatly missed.



  11. Janis Berry on March 18, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family. Thankful you were close.



  12. Theresa Vervynck on March 18, 2023 at 1:55 pm

    So sorry to hear this. Ray did so much for so many people. I remember back when I worked for him, he and his family did mission trips to Honduras, it was then that I really realized what a true Christian was. Rest in peace Ray – you’ve earned a good rest!



  13. Gary and Cindy Griffin on March 18, 2023 at 3:51 pm

    Dear Imy and family we have so many good memories of you all. You are all in thoughts and prayers. Love you all.



  14. Sadie and Jacob Costello on March 18, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    We are so sorry to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.



  15. Joe and Bonnie Erickson on March 18, 2023 at 7:42 pm

    IMY, we are so sorry to hear of Rays passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.



  16. Harvey Groening on March 18, 2023 at 8:10 pm

    Sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. We were good friends, both with strong feelings/opinions. Looking forward to seeing him in heaven!

    God bless you, Imy.

    Harv



  17. Mary and Thad May on March 19, 2023 at 3:06 pm

    We loved Ray and are sorry to hear of his passing. But oh how happy we will be when we see him again!



  18. Bob Mendelsohn on March 19, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    Dear Imy and all of their kids and grandchildren, may you know God’s intimate comfort just now and throughout the next month and the next year when Ray’s presence would be clearly felt, heard, and seen. What a good man who would not be happy hearing his own accolades now, but would want our Father in heaven to receive glory. That’s the mark of a believer, and Ray lived that well. A couple of memories I have from 1977 with him and others. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobmendo/52758028141 and this one at the same picnic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobmendo/799163044 (two noble saints now in glory). Thanks be to God for his awesome gift.



  19. jody Seitz on March 19, 2023 at 5:47 pm

    Imy , I was so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. My prayers are with you and your family!



  20. Rabbi Daniel Lapin on March 20, 2023 at 8:15 am

    What a loss! Ray had a remarkable way of teaching what he knew so effectively. He helped so many people onto the path of financial literacy and solvency. In a brave way, he was uncompromisingly God-fearing and Bible-believing and through his conviction and courage he inspired men to walk with God. He lives on in his family and in the hearts and memories of the many he led, taught, and encouraged. ~ Your devoted friend, Rabbi Daniel Lapin



  21. Joan & Merle Rothwell on March 20, 2023 at 11:02 am

    Such a loss to this world. We are thankful for the wonderful memories of our times together. We will see you Imy on Saturday.



  22. Sam & Sierra Jones on March 20, 2023 at 3:55 pm

    We are heartbroken to hear this news. Ray was an amazing friend and inspiration to us personally; as well as so many others. We feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to know him. His faith and walk with the Lord inspired me deeply, and will continue to do so until we meet again. We are sending our love and prayers for the family; may you all experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit during this time.



  23. Becky (Kletchka) Hilt on March 20, 2023 at 8:34 pm

    Words fail me. There is no way I can vocalize how much your entire family has meant to me. I am praying that the God of comfort will hold each of you in HIS everlasting arms of grace as you process this loss. ❤️



  24. Dale & Betty Guder on March 21, 2023 at 9:15 am

    Imy & family, our prayers for Gods peace & comfort are with you.



  25. Bill Corporon on March 21, 2023 at 4:35 pm

    Ray and I were classmates at Northwest and Wyandotte. I remember him as a good-natured guy who made friends easily. I’m glad to see that he went on to a successful career in law and finance. My sincere condolences to his family.



  26. Dennis & Linda Trotter on March 22, 2023 at 7:01 am

    Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ray’s family during this difficult time.



  27. Timothy and Carol Wilson on March 22, 2023 at 10:37 am

    Carol and I are deeply saddened by Ray’s untimely passing. Ray was a giant among men. He will be sorely missed by all those who loved him. He was a champion and hero for our family as I am sure he was for many others. Love you, Ray. See you soon.



  28. John & Lara Condon on March 23, 2023 at 8:59 am

    We are truly sorry for your loss. Ray was the greatest financial mentor to us. We used to meet for lunch in San Diego when he would visit Holly and we would always called him Uncle Ray! He felt like an uncle to us because he gave us wisdom when he spoke. We will miss him greatly.



  29. Chuck Deeds on March 24, 2023 at 11:52 pm

    The Lord blessed you with a man that determined to grow and encourage others to walk with Jesus. He taught me some extremely important lessons and lifted me through some difficult times in my life. Ray gave me an example of living with a love for God and others that I hope to follow. My heart aches for your loss and yet I’m sure the Lord told Him well done Ray.



  30. Cindy & John Gress on March 25, 2023 at 1:32 am

    Imy, Jodi, Heather, Holly and families, We grieve over the loss of Ray here on earth but know he’s dancing on the streets of gold with my mom & dad. We pray for strength as you continue to miss him in the coming days. We are thankful for all the love Ray shared with our family. Great memories of him showing us how we could manage ski trips.



  31. Barry J. Dyke on March 25, 2023 at 7:03 am

    Ray was a trailblazer and a pioneer in financial services, and was rich in support and encouragement. He always encouraged me to press on with my research so that it could help others , but more importantly, serve the ultimate father. I am sure when Ray reached the doors of heaven, he was welcomed with “well done my good and faithful servant.” Sincere sympathies to the Poteet family. God bless.



  32. Sibera Troy Brannon on March 25, 2023 at 7:42 am

    I pray for the Poteet family to have peace and healing during this time. The Lord blessed me when Ray and I became friends. Ray came into my life after my father’s death. I still need direction on so many things. Ray became that mentor, friend and brother in the Lord. We would have dinner whenever he was in Phoenix. The time we spent together with him mentoring me and just being a friend was priceless. Ray’s presence in our family and his influence especially with my wife Cheryll and myself in our lives has had a generational effect. I will miss the Love and friendship we shared. I know he is at rest with our Father. I know we will see each other again in Eternity.

    with Love and gratitude

    Sibera ( Troy ) and Cheryll and The rest of the Brannon family.



  33. Allison on March 25, 2023 at 11:21 am

    After viewing the service & listening to the girls’ tributes to their dad, Ray, I heard once again what a wonderful man Ray Poteet was. My fiancé, Ray’s older brother, Bob, has shared many Ray stories. My only regret is that I will never meet Ray myself, but I am there to lift up his brother Bob at this time of loss& sorrow. My deepest sympathy, I extend to Imy and all of the Poteet Family.



  34. Kensington Financial Associates on March 27, 2023 at 12:26 pm

    Dear Poteet Family,

    We at Kensington Financial Associates are heartbroken to learn about the passing of our dear friend, Ray Poteet. Please accept our deepest condolences during this difficult time. Ray was not just a client to us, but a part of our family. Over the years, we have had the privilege of getting to know Ray, and we will always remember him as a kind-hearted and genuine person who cared deeply about his family, friends, and community.
    Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. We hope that you can find solace in the memories you shared with Ray, and that his legacy of kindness and generosity will live on through all of you.
    If there is anything we can do to support the Poteet family during this difficult time, please do not hesitate to reach out.



  35. Michael Kaye on March 28, 2023 at 11:26 am

    Michael Kaye

    I grieve with all of you that love him so much! I feel Rays loss deeply. I will miss my friend, my teacher, my mentor.
    My prayers are with all of you.
    God bless you Ray you had a huge foot print on the lives of so many and the world is a better place because of you.
    I will miss you,
    Michael Kaye



  36. Rodney Rogers on April 21, 2023 at 6:25 am

    Met Ray one time and you can tell what a man of God looks like. So sorry for the passing. Thinking of the family during this time. Prayers.



  37. Dr Kent J Albrecht on August 23, 2023 at 8:51 am

    Imy –
    Just saw this info in August 2023!…
    Ray was a huge influence in Laura and My life, spirituality and financially!
    In fact, His position on Jesus placed Me into a decision back in 1984-5, which ultimately lead to My Salvation.
    Blessings to you and the “Kids”

    drkent & laura



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