EVERETT RAYMOND "RAY" PUTNAM III, age 69, a resident of Fenton formerly of Charleston, died Friday, February 24, 2012, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis.

Born September 2, 1942 to the late E.R. Putnam Jr. and Dorothy Lee Waller Putnam, Ray was raised in Charleston where he graduated from Charleston High School and then attended Murray State University. He later served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. Ray was retired from Rocktenn Manufacturing in St. Louis.

As a young man Ray had an artistic side, creating beautiful pastel still life works. He also loved to play the acoustic guitar.

Prior to moving to St. Louis, Ray worked many years as a store manager and district manager for Goodyear Tire and Rubber. His artistic side however was never far from the surface and he eventually re-located to Nashville, Tennessee where he attended school to become a hair stylist and ultimately managed a successful salon in the Castner Knott Department store where he counted many celebrities as clients.

Ray is survived by one son, E.R. "Rhett" Putnam IV of Nashville, Tennessee. Two daughters, Stephanie Renee Putnam Wolfgang of Saginaw, Michigan and Laura Lynn Putnam of Kansas City also survive along with two grandsons and two granddaughters. Ray is also survived by two brothers, Arthur Lee (Tamara) Putnam of Bloomington, Ill and Thomas Evans (Mary) Putnam of Brentwood, Tennessee.

One son, Eric Putnam, preceded him in death.

A private family graveside service will be held Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at the IOOF Cemetery in Charleston Missouri. Rev. Dan Faust, pastor of the Charleston United Methodist Church, will officate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray's memory to the American Heart Association, 104 Corporate Lake Drive, Columbia, MO 65203 or St. Jude's Children's Research Center, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.