Raymond K. Stapp, 79 of Gothenburg, passed away July 19, 2012, at the Lexington Regional Health Center.
Raymond was born Jan. 22, 1933, at Cozad to Roy and Bessie (Crouse) Stapp, Sr. Ray was a graduate of Cozad High School.
Following his schooling, Ray worked as a farm hand for a few years, before entering the U.S. Army in 1953. Ray was stationed in Germany during the service, and following his discharge he returned to Cozad. Ray farmed with his brother Kenneth for many years, north of Cozad. Ray was passionate about the farming and ranching lifestyle, and he enjoyed it for over 55 years, retiring in 2005.
Ray was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt. He took great pride in the obedience and training of his Labrador retrievers that he would always take hunting with him. He also enjoyed time spent around horses and cattle, which was in-cumbent upon his line of work. Ray had earned his pilot’s license, and absolutely loved spending time in the air flying small planes. He was also a proud member of the Masons.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth; two sisters, Aileen Wilcox and Violet Power; two sisters-in-law, Cleo and Goldie.
Survivors include his brother, Roy Stapp, Jr., of Omaha; nieces and nephews, Stacy (Tim) Easterday, of Cozad, Linda Toberer, of Daphne, Ala., Ann Thompson, of Mobile, Ala., Steven (Kris) Stapp, of Omaha, Rebecca (Gary) Kline, of Aurora, Ill., Rolanda “Lannie” Mees, of Powell, Wyo., Vickie Sanders, of Thermopolis, Wyo., Timothy (Peggy) Power, of Cody, Wyo.; and special friend, Marilyn Cheever, of Gothenburg.
Services will be on at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, July 25, at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel in Cozad with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Cozad Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, from 1-8 p.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.
A memorial has been established. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.