Ray Bear

Ray Bear, 77, passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2022.

Ray was born August 13, 1944 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was a welder working for Des Moines Ornamental Iron for 30 years. After retiring from there, he went on to work for Eurofins in their maintenance department.

Ray loved his family above all else. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His granddaughters and his great-grandson were the light of his life. He enjoyed spending time in his garage, working on cars, and he loved his dogs. Ray liked being in his yard planting flowers and gardening.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy; children, Dale (Janet) Fowler, Shelly Bear (Jeff), Stacy Bear, and Shan Bear; granddaughters, Taylor Backous-Kilby and Katie Bear; great-grandson, Gavin Kilby; siblings, Virginia (Ginny) Mauk, Evelyn (Micky) Johnston, Mary Allen, and Esther Schierholz; and many other loving extended family and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry and Bill Eddinger and his sister, Myrtle (Mert) Lawrence.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022, also at Hamilton’s, with burial to follow at Cory Grove Cemetery in Elkhart, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Ray.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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