DES MOINES, Iowa- Former Governor Robert Ray was the first Iowan to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda in 64 years. Hundreds of Iowans went to the Capitol Thursday afternoon to pay their respects.
There was a wreath laying ceremony at 5 p.m. and numerous dignitaries, current and former elected officials, former governors and family members were present, as well as a large group of news media and the general public.
Toward the end of of the evening, however, the crowd in the Rotunda was much smaller, but still somber and respectful, as the police officers and military service members remained on guard, until the the opportunity concluded at 8:30 p.m.
The funeral for Governor Ray is today (Friday) at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church in Des Moines.
Ray died Sunday, July 8th. He was 89.