Ray Dennis Gossman, 69, of Hampton, Iowa died Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, North Iowa. Raymond was born on October 12, 1944 in Worthington, Minnesota to Clodius and Helen Gossman. Ray grew up in Waterloo and attended Columbus High School, graduating among the class of 1962. In 1965, he was drafted into the United States Army. He faithfully served his country until his Honorable discharge on May 6, 1967. Ray returned to Waterloo where he was employed as a floor mechanic, installing flooring, and countertops. Ray was united in marriage to Winifred Lang at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cedar Falls on January 6, 1968; they would be blessed with two sons, Michael and Jason. In 1980, the family moved to Yuma where Ray operated his flooring business for two years. He then began working for St. Francis and Yuma Elementary School District One as a maintenance supervisor. In 1993 Ray returned to college to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. From 1998 until his retirement in 2010 Ray taught kindergarten and first grade in Arizona. His first years were spent at Mary A. Otondo Elementary School. He spent the following ten years at Immaculate Conception Catholic School.In his free time Ray could be found playing softball or shooting pool. He loved hiking and traveling with his family, sightseeing, camping, and being outdoors in general. Throughout the years Ray was very active within the Catholic Church and was devoted to the Rosary. He was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus. Those grateful in sharing in his life are his wife, Winifred Gossman of Hampton; sons, Michael Gossman of Mason City and Jason Gossman of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughters, Nichole and Kelsey Gossman; siblings, Gary Gossman, Claude (Janice) Gossman, Claudette Hill, Rev. John Gossman, Sharon (Tom) Fereday, Leo Gossman, Leone (Dave) Simpson, and James Gossman; as well as many nieces and nephews and extended relatives and friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elaine Gossman; and nephew, Jeff Gossman. Should friends desire, memorials may be sent in Ray's name to Disabled American Veterans. Please sign the guestbook at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun/