Junior Ray Pyle, son of the late Charley “Pete” Pyle and Geraldine Cooper Pyle, was born on February 14, 1948, in Dunklin County, Missouri, and departed this life on December 25, 2022, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 74 years.

Mr. Pyle was a Veteran of the United States Army and he retired from the Missouri National Guard after 37 years of service. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #532 in Dexter, Missouri, a resident of Dexter and of the Church of Christ faith.

On August 29, 1999, in Piggott, Arkansas, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Underhill. Mrs. Pyle preceded him in death on July 6, 2021

He is survived by three sons, Brian Pyle of Dexter, Missouri, Joe Pyle and wife Leslie of Dexter, Missouri, and Marvin Wallace Jr. and wife Julie of Wichita, Kansas; by four daughters, Tammy Hoberecht and husband Troy of Wichita, Kansas, Tena Hughes and husband Michael of Wichita, Kansas, Sheila Haney and husband Mike of Dexter, Missouri, and Toni Davis and husband Tim of Sikeston, Missouri; by his brother, Michael D. Pyle of Dexter, Missouri; by two sisters, Etta Jean Ross and Karen Forkum both of Dexter, Missouri; by twenty-two grandchildren, Braden, Kassidey, Hannah, Emily, Katie, Kilie, Lucy, Adam, Andrew, Erika, Brandon, Tad, Hilary, Jessica, Ben, Sara, Jackson, Jessica, Kayla, Brad, Korie, and Erin; and by twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Bollinger; and by his brother-in-law, Kenny Forkum.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Tim Russell officiating. Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery in Dexter.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.