Ray spent his early years in the surrounding area, eventually becoming quite close to his stepfather, George Nahhas and siblings, Ted and Joanie. Ray enjoyed his early years exploring and playing along the pier in Oceanside, going to movies with his mother and siblings, and playing football at Oceanside High School. Ray graduated with the class of 1962. He entered the United States Air Force at San Diego, and was subsequently stationed at Amarillo, Texas. He was part of the servicing unit for the 462nd Bombing Wing out of Amarillo and was honorably discharged in 1967 from Lowry Air Base in Denver Colorado.
While stationed at Amarillo, Ray had the good fortune to help a young lady from Nebraska, who was there looking for her brother, Jody. “Can I help you, are you lost?”, became the first words of their new romance.
On February 15, 1967, Ray married Bonnie Joyce Bachman in Kansas City, Missouri. Over the next couple of years, the young couple, along with two daughters, moved to California where Ray earned his bachelor’s degree from Ventura College, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. Three more children would join the family (all boys), George (Ted), Matthew and Zachary. The family enjoyed their life in California, often going to the Del Mar Racetrack, Disneyland, and to watch Dodgers Baseball.
Ray became a licensed Realtor and Broker in California and Nebraska and worked in the profession for over 50 years. For the last six years Ray worked alongside his daughter in property management and was well respected by all he encountered.
Some of Ray’s life-long interests were watching sports, horse racing, boxing, and politics. An avid Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Fan, Ray enjoyed communicating with his sons via phone as each inning took place. In addition, Ray loved all types of movies, westerns and comedies were his top choice. Often, he would quote lines from movies such as Spies Like Us, The End, The Jerk, and Dumb and Dumber (“so you’re telling me there’s a chance?”). This will continue to put a smile on our faces.
Over the years, he found that time with Bonnie, walks around the nearby lake, and some of life’s more simple pleasures, like picnics at the park and getting ice cream cones with his wife and daughter, brought him immense joy.
Those left to mourn Ray’s passing are his wife, Bonnie; four sons; William (Jennifer) Bragg and their children Landon and Abigail; George Bragg; Matthew (Charlene) Bragg and their son Noah; Zachary (Nicole) Bragg and son Patrick; three daughters; Madonna Bragg and her daughter Arrie Woodrow; Bonita Bragg and her daughter Justine (Jeff) Schnebel; Marcy (Patrick) Knobbe; son-in-law Alejandro Ramirez; son-in-law Lee Ward and his children Daniel Ward and Lindsey Purchase; two great-grandchildren, William Purchase and Kathleen Ty Woodrow; son in law John Bernal; and son in law Jeff Netzel.
Those who are awaiting the reunion with Ray are: his beloved parents; his brother, Ted Nahhas and wife Mary; his sister, Joanie Eilert and husband Paul; former wife Donna Hawkins; daughter, Kimberly Ward; and daughter-in-law Amanda Moore Bragg.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions, in the name of Ray Bragg, be made to your favorite charity.
Service will be at Roper and Sons Waverly Chapel in Waverly, Nebraska, on Saturday April 30, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Waverly, Nebraska.
Reception to follow back at the Roper and Sons Waverly Chapel.