Raymond Bernard Kearns was born to John D Kearns and Evelyn Viola Copeland Kearns on May 10, 1930, in San Jose, Calif. Ray was baptized into the Catholic faith at the Mission San Jose of California. Raymond attended St Joseph's Parochial Elementary and Sequoia High School before moving to Winnemucca and graduating from Humboldt County High School. He spent much of his youth ranching, as his own father died when he was 37. He was drafted April 14, 1954, into the Korean conflict and went to Fort Ord in Monterey, Calif., for basic training. He was in the Recoilless Rifle Platoon where he was a jeep driver, promoted to squad leader, earned the expert rifleman distinction and was promoted to gunner and honorably discharged on March 7, 1956, as a Corporal.
He returned from Korea and continued ranching, independent contracting, and the maintenance foreman for the Humboldt County School District. Ray served on the Warmouth Sewer Board, the Planning Commission, the Rodeo Board and the St Paul Church Board. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus for 16 years and was the Grand Knight and Financial Secretary while with the organization. He retired from the school district in 2000 and continued ranching and trucking for Miller truck lines. February of 2011 he and Barb retired to Mesa, Ariz., to enjoy their newest grandchild-Raegan Ward.
Raymond was proceeded in death by his parents and his brother. Raymond is survived by his wife of 36 years Barbara Kearns; children Sandra Cipra of Winnemucca; Michael (wife Wanda) Kearns of Bellevue, Neb.; Sharon (husband Red) Huber of Winnemucca; Mark (wife Anita) Kearns of Winnemucca; and Elaine (husband Allan) Ward of Mesa, Ariz.; Step-children Robert Glinsmann of Winnemucca; Betty Glinsmann-Gibson (husband Craig) of Tucson, Ariz.; Randy Glinsmann of North Platte, Neb.; and Rodney (wife Newt) Glinsmann of Winnemucca. Ray is survived by 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Winnemucca.
In lieu of flowers please go to www.autismspeaks.org to donate money in Ray's name.
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