Ray Duane Ward, formerly of Hayes Center and McCook, passed away on June 18, 2026, in his home in Brush, CO, at the age of 68.

Ray was born on October 2, 1957, in McCook, NE to parents Robert Lee and Ruth Elaine (Peterson) Ward. He grew up on the family farm east of Hayes Center, NE. He was the youngest of his siblings: Nancy, Beverly, and Leigh. As a child, Ray attended a rural country elementary school and Evergreen Union Church. He graduated from Hayes Center High School with the class of 1975.

As a young man, Ray worked as a dispatcher in McCook for Burlington Northern Railroad, and he also helped his dad on the farm for a few years. He moved to Rapid City, SD and attended Western Dakota Technical College. Ray developed exceptional and largely self-taught expertise in all facets of computer technology. He was an outstanding musician and a self-taught pianist. He enjoyed playing the piano for the church he attended, and he spent many hours practicing the hymns. For a few years, Ray served on the ESU 15 board in Trenton, NE. Over the years, Ray lived in Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho, and he spoke often of his friends and experiences while there. Eventually he spent many years on the farm and in McCook.

Ray’s family and friends will remember him for his gift of learning new things, reading and research, all of which he continued to do throughout his life. He had a quirky sense of humor and will also be remembered for his willingness to share his skills in music and computers with others.

Those left to celebrate his life are siblings, Nancy Evans of Maywood, NE, Beverly (Brent) Klein of McCook, NE, and Leigh (Jeannie Hadwick) Ward of Lincoln, NE; seven nieces and nephews, and 14 great-nieces and nephews. He is also survived by many family members and friends, including his friend Kevin Swartz of Brush, CO. Ray was cherished and cared for by his siblings, many cousins and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Mike Evans and Paul Esteraich.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in his name to be designated at a later date.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, McCook, NE, with Pastor Ron Hoyt as officiant.

The family requests casual attire for Ray’s service.

A private inurnment will occur at a later time at the Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook, NE. Ray will be laid to rest beside his parents.