JIM L. RAYER

James Leroy Rayer age 85 of McCook, passed away at the Hillcrest Care Center of McCook on Sunday, July 11, 2021. He was born in Bartley, NE at home on 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 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Jim taught in Sutherland, Wood River, Clarks, Bennington and Gothenburg before retiring in 1978. He worked for a short time for Perry Grain before moving to Lincoln. In Lincoln, he worked for Nordan Labs until 2008. He returned to southwest Nebraska in February 2016 to be close to family. Jim was a lifelong bachelor, but loved to be around his nephews, nieces and great nieces and nephews. He was a devout Catholic man. He enjoyed coyote hunting in his early years. More recent years he enjoyed reading, playing all types of card games (Pitch, Pinochle, Rummy) and Bingo. Jim liked to watch Philidelphia Phillies baseball and the Huskers.

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; brother Richard ”Dick” and wife Jane Rayer of Indianola; 10 nieces and nephews; 10 greatnieces and nephews; sister-in-law: Anne Rayer of Cedar Rapids, IA.

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 with Father Daniel Rayer officiating. Interment will be in the St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery of Indianola. The Rosary will be recited at the Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook on Thursday evening at 7:30 P.M. July 15, 2021. Memorials may be left in Jim’s name at the Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.