SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ralph E. “Pete” Cary, 99, of Springfield, Mo., went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, with his loving granddaughter by his side.

He was born Sept. 19, 1910, to Charlie and Elsie Cary in Valeda.

After returning from World War II, where he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant, he was united in marriage to Myrle Cooper on April 13, 1946, and to this union one son was born.

Pete loved gardening and fishing and did that until he moved to be closer to his family. He enjoyed watching rodeos and spent every Fathers’ Day at steer roping in Pawhuska, Okla. Pete cherished his time with the “kiddies.” He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his loving wife, Myrle; a son, Walter Cary and his wife, Lola; granddaughters, Alicia Bartlotti and her husband, Jeremy, and DaNae Belt and her husband, Andrew; and great-granddaughter Melita and a great-grandson on the way.

There will be a memorial service in mid-September at First Baptist Church in Edna. Inurnment was at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Mo.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home South.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Foundation-NICU.

Online condolences may be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.