Raymond J. Hamel, age 82, Clyde, KS, left this earthly life on Sat., Jan. 27, 2018 surrounded by his family at the Cloud County Health Center, Concordia, KS. He was born on April 7, 1935 in St. Joseph, KS to Leon G. & Agnes C. (Racette) Hamel.
Ray attended the St. Joe grade school and graduated from Clyde High School in 1953. He married Virginia A. Laverentz on June 27, 1955 in Marysville, KS. She preceded him on Feb. 16, 2006. He attended the Wichita School of Barbering from Dec. 1955 to June 1956. He worked as a barber in Wichita for 17 months before volunteering for the draft, where he served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959 in Philadelphia, PA at the guided missile battery. Ray owned and operated his own barber shop in Clyde, KS from 1960 until he retired in 2006. He continued to cut hair at KC Country Expressions for a few more years. He was a member of the Clyde VFW, past member of the Clyde Chamber of Commerce & Lion’s Club, Clyde. He enjoyed restoring antique furniture and collecting guns.
He is survived by his daughters: Rhonda Zenger (Jim), Clyde, Suzette Knoettgen (Danny), Clifton & Diane Sicard (Rex), Concordia; son, Zach Hamel (Heather), Naples, FL; brother, Francis Hamel (Edna), Concordia; sister, Rosemary Braun, Concordia; 15 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia & his parents.
It was Ray’s wishes to be cremated and a Memorial service will be 10:00 am, Sat., Feb. 3, 2018 at Chaput Mortuary with Fr. Steven Heina officiating. Burial of the cremains will follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Clyde with Military honors by Clyde VFW #7515. Friends may sign the register book Fri., Feb. 2, 2018 from 1-8 pm with a Rosary at 7 pm and family greeting after the rosary at Chaput Mortuary, Clyde. The family suggests memorials to Clyde Ambulance Fund, The Brown Grand Theatre or the Guardians of the St. Joseph Church in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.