Raymond J. Pechous

RAYMOND J. PECHOUS

Iowa City

On Aug. 18, 2021, we lost a husband, father, brother, uncle, teacher and friend, Raymond Joseph Pechous. Ray was a tireless advocate for children and believed that education was the path to impact the lives of students through uncovering their hidden potential. He was 76 years old.

His recognizable laugh was nothing but contagious and was usually followed by hilarious wit. His devoted faith in God was infused with his work in Catholic school administration. His work as a servant prepared him well for eternal life.

Ray, also known as "termite" to his four older siblings, was the youngest of five children born to George and Celeste (Lynch) Pechous. He graduated from Regina High School in 1963 and went on to get a BA from St. Ambrose University and earned two MA degrees from Ambrose and the University of Iowa. Ray started teaching in the North Scott Community schools and continued to dedicate his career in elementary education with positions at the Marshalltown Catholic schools, Davenport's St. Paul the Apostle, St. Alphonsus and Sacred Heart Schools. Most recently, he served as the Regina High School principal, St. A's elementary principal in Jesup, and taught at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City until his retirement in 2018.

Throughout his career in education he was passionate about bringing the arts to the forefront of the schools. He directed several plays and musicals, in particular, he wrote and directed the musical, "SHORTER THAN MOST" about a basketball team that were shorter than all the other teams, but won the games with their hearts and wits. Every single student had a role in this musical, as he went out of his way to make sure no one felt left out and everyone mattered. Ray started a choir bell chorus, and arranged a live Christmas Window Walk that featured a nativity scene that soon became a tradition and drew in people from all over to view. While at Regina, he was awarded a Blue Ribbon School award from President Bill Clinton. Ray was an avid writer of short stories and continued writing up through his death. We will miss his voice, passion and gentleness.

Ray married the girl of his dreams, Mary Elizabeth Mack, on Dec. 30, 1967, in Viola, Ill., in the middle of a snowstorm. Their 54 years of marriage produced six children, 12 grandchildren and many fireside chats.

He will be missed incredibly by his wife Mary and his children, Patrick, Donald and Nicki, Celeste, Timothy and Brittany, and Emily and Dan Hartzler. He will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren, Olivia, Owen, Ryan, Paul, Leo, Maeve, Jude, Josie, Charlie, Haddie, Sully and Eloise; and celebrated by his brother, Paul and Nancy Pechous; sister, Margaret and Tom Goss; brother-in-law, Jerry Irving; sister-in-law, Marilyn Pechous; as well as many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

He was welcomed home by his mother and father; his sister, Mary Ellen (Nicky); his brother, Ed; his son, Jeff; and that "#%!" dog. Mikey.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held on Monday, Aug. 23, with a visitation for family and friends from 3 to 5 p.m, followed by a Mass at 5 p.m., at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville. A reception will be held directly after in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to the Jeff Pechous Family Scleroderma Fundraiser or St. Thomas More Capital Campaign. For the safety of all, we request masks be worn.