A Celebration of Life for 69-year old Raymond Wright of Hemingford, NE, will be Sat, Nov 4, 2023 at 2:00 at the Crawford Community Building in Crawford, NE.
A memorial has been established for Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crawford. Flowers and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Raymond Leslie “Ray” Wright was born on Nov 23, 1953 to Esther Wright in Greeley, CO, and passed away on Oct 26, 2023 peacefully at home in Hemingford after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He now rests with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Crawford became Ray’s hometown as a toddler. He was a resourceful kid and started his mechanical career very young. He and his brother built a go-kart with materials they could scrounge up, but their fun was short as the Crawford police believed dismantling the kart would be best.
At age 11, his skills were used to fix his mother’s car, which he gladly did until she ceased driving a few years ago. Throughout his youth, he worked many odd jobs including Anderson’s dealership and the CO-OP service station in Crawford.
Ray was well known for his mix of muscle cars and motorcycles – and he was sometimes notorious with the town police. Excessive usage of horsepower was a vice hard for Ray to control. After high school, he and his brother Bob went into construction at Missouri Valley Construction where they worked with crews building I-80.
During this time, he dated and then married the love of his life Cheryl Beman in 1977. During their 45 years of marriage Ray and Cheryl had 3 wonderful children: Danea, Scott, and Melissa. Ray spent time coaching and was an avid supporter of his children’s sports.
In 1978 Ray began his railroad career as a Machinist Apprentice for Burlington Northern. After numerous positions and promotions, he retired as a supervisor in 2010.
Ray was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crawford. He served many positions within the church where he was able to share his strong faith. Ray was never shy about spreading God’s good word and always said “God Bless” when saying goodbye.
Ray was a selfless man who woke each morning with a drive to help others. His willingness to help anyone in need was unparalleled. Countless people received his loving help for whatever his two hands and huge heart could give. Paying it forward was in his DNA. It shall live on forever through those he instilled this passion.
Ray’s love of speed and all things mechanical stayed with him throughout life. Ray built many race engines and worked on race cars with his lifelong friends. Together they attended national events, held records and won races.
The Wright garage often rumbled with thunder. Ray’s engines would rattle dishes in his neighbor’s cabinets. Famous for his small block Chevy engines, they would breathe unmuffled fire.
“Buzzing” to redline, the noise would attract a crowd of neighbors young and old. Ray’s shop was a social gathering of motorheads, neighbors, and family where he would spread his wisdom on mechanics and on God.
As his children grew and married, his grandkids became a favorite part of life. Ray’s grandkids loved his ’69 Camaro as much as he did. The grandsons took to his love of speed machines while the granddaughters softened his rough hands with their hearts. They will grow up and carry his torch, becoming people’s “Ray” of light – offering a helping hand to one in need.
He is survived by his wife Cheryl of Hemingford; daughter Danea (Corey) Crowder of Beulah, Wyo; son Scott (Alicia) Wright of New Underwood, SD; daughter Melissa (Roy) Bierman of Arnold, NE; grandchildren Tristin and Corbin Crowder, Jordan and Hailey Wright, Brook Walter Emma and Ava Bierman.
Also surviving him are his mother Esther Wright, sister Helen (Bob) Arnold, brother Bob (Alta) Wright, sister Kathy (Roger) McCoy, many wonderful nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his in-laws Jerry and Dorothy Beman and by sister-in-law Vicky Dunn.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron, NE, is in charge of arrangements for Raymond Wright.