James Leroy Rayer, age 85, of McCook, Nebraska passed away at the Hillcrest Care Center of McCook on Sunday, July 11, 2021. He was born at home in Bartley, Nebraska April 19, 1936, to Maurice W. and Elsie (Colling) Rayer. Jim attended and graduated from Indianola High School in 1953. He continued his education at Kearney State Teachers College in 1957 and received his Bachelor of Science Education. Jim served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves from July 1959 till he was Honorably Discharged on April 1965.
Jim taught in the towns Sutherland, Wood River, Clarks, Bennington, and Gothenburg in Nebraska before retiring in 1978. He worked for a short time for Perry Grain before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska. In Lincoln, he worked for Nordan Labs until 2008. Jim returned to southwest Nebraska to be close to family. He was a lifelong bachelor, but loved to be around his nephews, nieces, and great-nieces and nephews. He was a devout catholic man and enjoyed coyote hunting in his early years. More recently, he enjoyed reading, playing all types of card games (Pitch, Pinochle, Rummy), and Bingo. Jim liked to watch Philadelphia Phillies baseball and the Huskers.He was a member of the Indianola Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Elsie; brother, Maurice “Joe” Rayer; and a great-nephew, Isaac Cornwell.
Jim is survived by his sister, Mary and husband, Albert Hayes, of Bartley, Nebraska; brother, Richard “Dick” and wife, Jane Rayer, of Indianola, Nebraska; ten nieces and nephew; ten great-nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Anne Rayer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola, Nebraska with Father Danial Rayer officiating. Interment will be in the St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery in Indianola.
A Rosary will be recited at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, Nebraska on Thursday evening, July 15, 2021 at 7:30 P.M.. Memorials may be left in Jim’s name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.