RAYMOND ROBERTS, age 68 of Brule, former longtime Lewellen resident, passed away Monday January 25, 2016 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
Ray was born July 17, 1947 in Lewellen, Nebraska to Jack and Evelyn (Steger) Roberts. He graduated from Ogallala High School with the class of 1965.
On February 1, 1967, Ray married Teresa Victory at Ogallala. The couple made their home in Ogallala where Ray worked at TRW, maintaining machinery, for many years alongside his father Jack. Ray and Teresa would eventually move to Lewellen where they raised their family. Ray continued to work at TRW for several years before taking a job at Stageman Service in Oshkosh. Raymond's health eventually began to decline, and he had to step back from work in 1995.
Ray had been active in the past with the Lewellen Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Lewellen School Board.
Ray was very family oriented. He never missed one of his children's ball games. He was also a wonderful supporter of his grandchildren, who he loved very much. He was an ardent supporter of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Denver Broncos. Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman, and took pride in having taught all of his children how to hunt and fish. Ray was also a wonderful cook, with his homemade pizza even developing a bit of a following in Lewellen among family and friends alike, who would often affectionately call him "Papa."
Ray was preceded in death by his father, and a sister, Diana Fricke.
Ray is survived by his mother, Evelyn Roberts of Ogallala; his children, Ray (Sue Lynn Ashe) Roberts, Jr. of Ashville, NC, Tamberly (Jeff) Therrien of Firestone, CO, Chuck (Julie) Roberts of North Platte, Ranelle (John) Hendon of Brule; the mother of his children, Teresa Malmkar of Ogallala; 14 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; his siblings, Pam (Mark) Spurgin of Ogallala, Jerry (Lori) Roberts of North Platte, Richard Roberts of Ogallala; brother-in-law, John Victory of Mullen; along with many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Ray's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 29th at 10:30 AM at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Eric Wait officiating. Memorial book signing will be on Thursday, from 1 PM to 5 PM at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.