John L. Wray

John L. Wray

Nov. 1, 2019 - Nov. 1, 2019

NORTON, Kan. — John L. Wray, age 104, of Norton, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at the Andbe Home in Norton.

John was born Jan. 1, 1915, in Norton County, Kansas to parents, John B. and Lula (Gross) Wray.  He was one of seven children born to this union.  John attended school in Norton graduating from Norton Community High School in 1933. He then went on to attend Kansas State Agricultural College in Manhattan, Kansas for one year.

During World War II, John worked for an aircraft company in California and then the Kansas-Nebraska Oil Company. After retirement, he worked as a financial adviser. In 1952, John married the love of his life, Georgia (Duvall) Wray in Lakin, Kan.  The couple later moved to Norton where together they ran a local golf cart business and raised chinchillas. John and Georgia spent the winter months at their home in Arizona where they enjoyed playing golf. Georgia died in 1994.

Over the years, John was involved in numerous organizations, such as the Norton Lions Club and the Norton Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Norton Christian Church and a founding member of the Norton Golf Course, where he still holds the record for the lowest score. Outside of golf, John enjoyed dancing, singing, playing cards and chess, and growing beautiful flowers, especially roses and gloxinias. He was an avid hunter who made his own ammunition.

John is survived by special friend, Johnette Martin of Beaver City, Neb. Having no children of his own, he treated his niece, Roberta (Wray) Ryan of Norton and his eight other nieces and nephews as his own. He is also survived by 12 great-nieces and nephews; 14 great-great-nieces and nephews; two great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Georgia Wray; sister, Helen Hicks and her husband, Glenn; five brothers and their wives, Herb and Mary, Harold and Margaret, Harlan and Neva, Howard and Wilma and Robert and Miriam; one nephew, Bill Wray; and one niece, Donna Gassmann.

Private family services may be at a later date. John’s wishes were to spread his ashes along the Niobrara River.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Norton Second Chance Homeless Pet Society, RR 3 Box 78, Norton, KS 67654.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook for the family.