Charles Ray Czapansky

Charles Ray Czapansky , 82, of rural Parsons, passed away at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, December 30, 2017 at his home.

He was born April 25, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri and adopted by Charles and Alice (Beeman) Czapansky. He lived on a farm with his parents north of Sherman City, Kansas and attended Sherman City Grade School. His parents moved to Kansas City and later returned to Parsons where he graduated from Parsons High School and attended Parsons Junior College.

In 1956, Ray joined the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1960. He worked out of the Union Hall as a meat cutter in the Kansas City area while going to night school to acquire an FAA, A&P Certificate. In 1966, Ray was hired by Braniff Airways in Dallas, Texas where he continued to work until its closing of operations in 1982.

Ray then was employed by Ryan Aviation in Wichita as a mechanic and later as a maintenance controller. At that time, Ryan was flying 727-100 freighter aircraft for Emery Airfreight in Dayton, Ohio. Ryan received a contract from United Parcel Service to fly 727-200 and 757 (fly-by-wire) freighter aircraft out of Louisville, Kentucky. At that time, Ray was promoted to supervisor. UPS sent Ray to school in Seattle, Washington and Pratt Whitney Aircraft School in Hartford, Connecticut and Phoenix, Arizona. He then worked for UPS as 747 maintenance controller in Louisville, Kentucky remaining on the maintenance control desk for 10 years before transferring to heavy maintenance supervisor. As heavy maintenance supervisor, he worked in several cities in Europe and Asia including Dublin, Ireland, Tel Aviv, Israel, Copenhagen, Denmark, Stafford, England, and Hong Kong, China. In 2006, Ray retired with his wife to his much loved farm south of Parsons. At that time, he continued to have a keen interest in the activities of his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Ray was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Parsons.

On August 29, 1958, he and Phyllis Kay Swanwick were married in Parsons. She survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, survivors include one daughter, Dr. Desiree Czapansky-Beilman, and her husband, Dr. Greg Beilman; and two grandchildren, Patrick and Nicola, all of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time, on Thursday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, the American Cancer Society, or Kindred Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.