Raymond 'Ray' Edward Zahn, age 90, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Trego County–Lemke Memorial Hospital. He was born December 5, 1935, in Bazine, Kansas, to Otto and Pearl (Kilpatrick) Zahn.
Ray was a man defined by hard work, quiet observation, and a deep love for his community and the simple joys of life.
He grew up south of Ogallah, Kansas, beneath the bluffs where his parents farmed the land now known as Cove 4 at Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Those early years shaped his appreciation for the outdoors and instilled in him a strong work ethic that would follow him throughout his life. In 1947, when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began plans for the construction of Cedar Bluff Dam, the family was forced to leave the farm and move into town—a transition that marked a new chapter in Ray’s life.
Ray graduated from Trego High School with the Class of 1953 and soon began working in the oil fields, a line of work he would return to time and again throughout his life. He was never afraid of hard labor or heights and could often be found on oil derricks, doing whatever needed to be done. From 1957 to 1962, he worked alongside his father, helping operate the family business, Zahn Plumbing and Heating. Unknowingly at the time, Ray would go on to use the skills he learned from his father to continue providing dependable service and reliability to the WaKeeney community.
From 1965 to 1969, Ray returned to oil field work before beginning what would become a long and dedicated career with the City of WaKeeney. From 1969 until 2000, he served as City Superintendent, taking great pride in maintaining the town he called home. Even after “retiring” at the age of 65, Ray did not slow down. He returned once more to the oil fields, working until the age of 78. When he finally stepped away from that work, he still found ways to stay useful, delivering clean uniforms to oil workers until he was 80 years old.
His commitment to service extended beyond his employment. Ray was an active member of the WaKeeney City Fire Department for approximately 20 years, always willing to step up and help when his community needed him.
Those who knew Ray often described him as 'the observer'. Between himself and his brother, Leonard, Ray was the quiet one. He listened more than he spoke, but when he did offer a comment or a joke, it was often unexpected and delivered with a smile that made it all the more memorable.
For more than 40 years, Ray continued his father’s plumbing legacy as an after-hours plumber, often answering calls to open sewers or assist with various projects—well into his later years and up to the age of 80. He was also an avid coin collector, a hobby he began in high school. Ray loved studying his coin digest magazines, absorbing all the information he could, and recalling remarkable details about each piece. He was always eager to share the story behind a particular coin with anyone willing to listen.
Known jokingly as a 'professional recycler', Ray found enjoyment in salvaging and scrapping metal—mostly aluminum—and took quiet satisfaction in giving materials a second life.
In his true retirement years, Ray finally found more time to enjoy the outdoors he had loved since childhood. Though he had a notable dislike for pinecones, he otherwise appreciated nature’s beauty. He could often be found sitting on his porch, watching rabbits in the yard, squirrels racing across the power lines—what he affectionately called the 'squirrel freeway'—and feeding the birds. Ray LOVED feeding the birds and he graciously left behind barrels and barrels of old birdseed in the shed, a lasting reminder of one of his favorite pastimes.
Ray is survived by his sons, Kendal (Dwana) of Ellis, Nathan (Tina) of Wichita, and Mark (Carol) of Quinter; his daughter, Marla Woods of WaKeeney; twelve grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Lucille 'Lucy'; his parents; two sons, Timothy and Alan; grandson Max; and fourteen siblings.
A visitation will be held Monday, January 19, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, Kansas. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at WaKeeney Church of God, 1300 Easter Avenue, WaKeeney, Kansas, with Pastor Jerod Brown officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.schmittfuneral.com.