Robert "Bob" A. Ray

Robert “Bob” A. Ray, a long time businessman and Veteran of the North Dakota Army National Guard passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake.

Robert Arthur Ray, son of Mandel A. and Ethel G. (Apperman) Ray was born on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1935 at Devils Lake. He lived his whole life in Devils Lake.  Bob graduated from Devils Lake Central with the class of 1953.  He then began a 30 plus years career with the North Dakota Army National Guard beginning on March 5, 1953.

Bob was united in marriage to Shirley L. Kueneman on March 16, 1957 at the United Methodist Church in Devils Lake.

Most of Bob’s years of service were with the 3662^nd Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company as a cook. His detail were the recipients of the Philip A. Connelly Award or North Dakota Army National Guard’s Best Mess award several times in his career.  Bob was also the recipient of several other commendations and medals including the Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Star and the M-16 Rifle Marksman Award to name a few.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on December 31, 1995. 

Robert was a hard-working soldier as well as an astute businessman. He worked in the shoe department at Mann’s for 18 years until it closed. In July of 1982, he and Shirley then opened their own business, Ray’s Bootery”.  As a business owner, he was active in the community events and the downtown activities.  Bob retired and closed “Ray’s Bootery” in 2011.

Bob loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing and gardening. Those times were made happier when it included the grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved his great grandbabies.  His great grandsons brought many smiles and so much joy into his final years. When Bob couldn’t be outdoors, you would find him “tinkering” in his shop. 

Bob loved his country, his family and always made the best of whatever life handed him. He was a humble man, a grateful man, a man who believed in service to his country, his community and his family.

Bob is survived by his daughter Sue of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren Craig (Mandy) Thomas, Devils Lake, Jamie (Art) Lewin, Beverly Hills, CA, Jeremiah Ray, Christopher Ray and Heather Lehnen, Albuquerque, NM; great grandchildren Braxton and Jace; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Agnes Ray, Robert “Bob” and Clarice Kueneman, Catherine Weber, Rita Senger and Arlene Loken and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Shirley on August 14, 2017; siblings Carol and her husband Lester Peterson and Gordon Ray.

Funeral Services for Bob will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with Chaplain (Major) Timothy Stout officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.