Ray Nash

Raymond L. Nash, 76 of Clay Center KS, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born on November 24, 1940 in Kokomo Indiana to Raymond C. West and was later adopted by John & Lura Nash. Ray spent his childhood on the Nash family hog farm in Kokomo where he was a member of the 4-H Club and earned several ribbons for prize winning pigs. He also spent a lot of time at the Alto Creek and the Wabash River, fishing. In his High School years, Ray was quite an athlete and spent time in the boxing ring. He joined the United States Army in 1958 and served for 3 years, 1 of those years being spent in Korea during the Korean War. In February of 1961 he married Lois Zrubek, and together they had 4 children. Ray and Lois made their home in Clay Center where Ray served on the Fire Department from August 1968 to March of 1991, serving as Fire Chief for 15 years. He then went on to own and operate Woody's Fire Extinguisher Sales until 2011. He spent many years as an active member and Chaplain in the Clay Center Elks Club, Lodge 2253. Those who knew and loved Ray could usually find him down at the local coffee shop visiting; he knew everyone and they knew him. He was ornery and fun to be around and the most giving soul; he would give you the shirt off his back if needed. He will be greatly missed. Ray was preceded in death by his adoptive parents John & Lura Nash of Kokomo Indiana, biological Father Raymond C. West; infant daughter, Sheril Nash; brothers, Charlie Coan, Everett and David West and sister, Cindy Nue Survivors: Daughter: Patty (Gary) Werth of Salina, KS Son: Robert (Diane) Nash of Marysville, KS Son: Chuck Nash of Clay Center, KS Brother: Jeff (Leslie) West of Kokomo, IN Brother: Mike West of Concordia KS Brother: Carl West of Concordia KS Sister: Marie (Jim) White of Concordia KS Sister: Chris (Don) Hartley, Concordia, KS Sister: Annie (Dave) Desmarais of Clay Center, KS special family friends: Shawn (Julie) Frye and daughter Edith of Clay Center, KS six Grandchildren Tasha (Tom) Cash of Silver City, NM, Kriston (Jeremy) Phelps of Tescott KS, Angela (Kyle) Slingsby of Clay Center KS, Brandon Nash of Salina, KS, Jesse Nash of Salina, KS, Logan Nash of Salina, KS 6 Great-Grandchildren Lukas, Charlie, Carter, Kade, Piper and Keeler. Memorial Services: Friday, June 30, 2017 at 10:30AM at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center, KS Minister: Pastor Ryan Lynch Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Kansas Visitation: Friday, June 30, 2017from 9:30 until service time at the United Methodist Church Memorials: CCARE (Clay County Animal Rescue and Education Center) c/o the funeral home Online condolences may be made at www.nsrfh.com