Image

Raymond Dean Kern, better known as Rayme, was born August 26, 1962, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Cheyenne Wells to Robert and Susan Kern. Rayme attended Cheyenne Wells schools, where he forged many lifelong friendships and a love for sports. In high school, he received many awards for football, basketball, and track. There was not a sport or activity that Rayme did not excel at.

Soon after graduating from Cheyenne Wells High School, Rayme married the love of his life, Delta Walter. The two of them moved to Goodland, Kansas, where Rayme attended college to become a plumber. Once he completed his schooling, they moved to Tribune, Kansas, where he had his first apprenticeship as a plumber.

After a couple of years, Rayme and Delta made the decision to move back to Cheyenne Wells and start their family. Together, they raised three boys: Jerrid Dean, Tanner Ray, and Augustus Lee.

Much of Rayme’s younger days were spent hauling trash with his dad and brothers, Bobby and John, for the family business, C&L Sanitation. They would wake up, get their work done, then spend the rest of the day watching old westerns in the shop. He was sure to carry on that tradition, having his own boys start working the trash route as soon as they were old enough to see over the steering wheel. And, of course, the tradition of watching old westerns in the shop for hours on end.

While his boys were growing up, Rayme continued with his love for all activities. He was a part of just about every local league there was, including, pool league, dart league, horseshoes, and his all-time favorite fast pitch softball. He was the best third baseman there was. Playing so far up it made everyone nervous, but not much ever got passed him. He made sure to raise his boys to be great athletes, and was even playing softball with them well into his 50s. It is something they will remember forever.

Rayme had a love for family camping trips to the lakes near Eads, where they went fishing and the boys would occasionally talk him into tubing and skiing. They remember their dad and Greg (TK) Krentz waking up really early for fishing tournaments. They would get a game plan for the day, go out on the water, and spend the entire day trying to reel in the winning fish. It seems the only thing they could catch was a sunburn and a buzz. They’d come back to camp only to realize that the boys had better luck with a hook and worm off the shore! 

Rayme was also known for his love of the rodeo and cattle ranching. Some of his greatest memories were had during cattle penning with Donnie Feyh and Gale Hoover. They were a great team for several years, and if they didn’t win the buckles, they were in the money.

Raising cattle became a great passion for Rayme. It was something he looked forward to everyday. He especially looked forward to branding day when the whole family came to town to work cows. Nothing made him happier than taking the grand kids up north to feed and cake cows. And you bet he was still able to show them how to cowboy and be tough. 

One of the best days of his life is when he became a grandpa.  It was Father’s Day weekend when Kenli was born. He looked at Jerrid, gave him a hug and said, “that’s the best damn Father’s Day gift there ever was.” Not long after, Alyx was welcomed to the family, followed by Suzanna, Reese, Briana, and finally Wyatt.

As the family grew, so did the camping trips and memories. One time, he and Delta took Kenli out on the pontoon boat, and Rayme decided he would wear shorts. Kenli was very concerned and finally asked him what was wrong with his legs, and why they were so white.

He loved all of his grandkids so much and felt nothing by joy when they were around. They even talked him into swimming in the lake with them multiple times.

Being a part of this community was extremely important to Rayme. Over the years, he had many titles. He was an EMT, volunteer fireman, Deputy Coroner, and County Coroner.

Rayme was a loving husband, son, father, and grandfather. He left this world after a hard-fought battle against injuries from a motor vehicle accident on June 19, 2024. He was still the toughest man many of us will ever know.

The funeral mass of Christian burial was celebrated July 5, 2024, at the Sacred Heart Church in Cheyenne Wells.  Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery.  

Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home in Cheyenne Wells.