Raymond "Ray" Albert Knotts, age 66, of Hollister, Missouri.

Raymond "Ray" Albert Knotts, age 66, of Hollister, Missouri, passed away March 30, 2025, in St. Louis, after a long battle surrounded by his family. He entered this life May 6, 1958, in Cuba, New York, the son of Lawrence and Joan (Lucas) Knotts.

Growing up in the state of Indiana Ray enjoyed being around his siblings, farming, watching his dad race stock cars, and playing horseshoes with his mom as he got older.

When he was 19, Ray proudly joined the United States Navy for 4 years and served on the USS John F Kennedy. For the years that followed he drove an 18-wheeler for trucking companies traveling through the country.

He was united in marriage to Lisa Ann (Flynn) September 3, 1988. They had 37 years of love and laughter together. Ray went back to school pursuing what ended up being his beloved career in the medical field. He studied radiology technology at North Ark College in Harrison, Arkansas. He became an RCIS and worked in the Cath lab at Phelps Hospital in Rolla, Missouri as the Cath lab manager.

Ray also homeschooled his three youngest children and then later his granddaughter London. Ray enjoyed singing karaoke with friends and two step dancing with Lisa to honky tonk music. He always loved to make people laugh with jokes and pranks. He was the life of the party.

Ray was very talented and was often self-taught with things such as playing the mandolin, guitar and fiddle. He was a jack of all trades, an excellent artist and handy man. There was nothing Ray couldn’t do. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend who will be missed deeply.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 37 years, Lisa Knotts; four daughters: Kara (husband Jorge) Martinez of Greenfield, Indiana, Paige (Husband Gilbert)

Henson of Hollister, Missouri, Brandi (husband Leonard) Daugherty of Springfield, Missouri, and Abby Knotts of Springfield, Missouri; three sons: Lucas Knotts of Greenfield, Indiana, Braydan Knotts of St. Louis, Missouri, and Connor Knotts of Hollister, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Jackson, Carson, London, Elaina, Flynn, Magnolia, and Ireland; sister: Darlene (husband Mike) Reeves of Greenfield, Indiana; brother, Dan Knotts of Greenfield, Indiana; sister-in-law, Donna (husband Bob) Ashley of Hollister, Missouri; Three Nephews: Travis Reeves, Randy Reeves, Taylor Ashley and One Niece Michelle Reeves; Two Aunts: Aunt Pat, Aunt Linda; One Uncle Chuck; A best friend Bryan Williams of Hollister, Missouri and Howie a close family friend. Along with many cousins, extended family and friends.

Ray is preceded in death by his dad Larry, mom Joan, and a daughter, Jenna Brooke.

A celebration of life is 3:00 p.m. May 10, 2025, with full military honors, at the Stone Castle Hotel, 3050 Green Mountain Drive, Branson, Missouri 65616. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence or a memory, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.