Robert T. 'Bob' Ray

Jan. 20, 1927-April 14, 2005

Robert T. "Bob" Ray, 78, of McCook, died Thursday (April 14, 2005) at Community Hospital of McCook.

He was born Jan. 20, 1927, to Clark Calvin and Anne (Webb) Ray in San Francisco, Calif. He graduated from Hayward High School in Hayward, Calif., in 1945.

He served with the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II and fought on the island of Okinawa. He served on occupation duty with the Marines in China. He later served with the 1st United States Infantry Division in Germany. He also served with the 213th Field Artillery, C Battery in Korea. He was involved in three battles in the Korean Conflict. He later joined the U. S. Air Force, serving in France, the United States and Japan. While in Japan he went on tour of duty in South East Asia and was involved in three different battles in the Vietnam War. In 1969, he came back to the U.S. and retired from the military.

On June 6, 1957, he married Avis Nelson in Zurich, Switzerland. They lived overseas and when he retired from the military, they moved to McCook. After retiring from the military, he worked as a self-employed carpenter and for the State of Nebraska Historical Society as the curator at both the Norris Home in McCook and Neihart Center in Bancroft. When he retired from the State Historical Society, he moved back to McCook, and since 1991, has owned Bob's Books presently in the old DeGroff's building.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as branch president in 1977 and 1978. He was the current president of the McCook Kiwanis and was a past Lt. Governor of District 24. He was a member of the State Historical Society, and was a charter member of both thr local Genealogical Society and the State Genealogical Society. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was elected to the McCook City Council and served on the park board.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bert and Clark; and one sister, Marion Ruby.

Survivors include his wife, Avis of McCook; one son, Robert and wife, Dacrus; three grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Lukins of Santa Clara, Calif., and Kathleen Smith and husband, Alan, of Eureka, Calif.

Funeral services were today (April 18, 2005) at the Carpenter Breland Funeral Home with Steven Shaner, President of the McCook Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, officiating.

Burial was at Fort McPherson at 2:30 p.m., with the North Platte Veteran's Honor Guard.

Friends may sign his book at the funeral home or may go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences.

Memorials may be given to the Southwest Nebraska Genealogical Society.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.