Raymond Evert Colbert, 90, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at his home in Excelsior Springs.

Ray was born on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1929, in Greenville, Texas. He served in the Korean War; and after his return to the states, he married the love of his life, Edith Speer, on April 4, 1953, in Roswell, New Mexico.

They started their family life in Greenville. He was employed by the Ford plant in Dallas until 1970. The plant shut down and Ray moved his family to Excelsior Springs, where he finished up his 30 years at the Claycomo plant. After retiring from Ford, he opened up his own mechanic shop and worked on many people’s cars around the area. Even when he was staying at ESNR, he had residents and their families recognize him from his shop. Ray loved his dogs that he had throughout the years, Bullet, Red, two Bufords and Buck. He loved going to McDonald’s daily and meeting his buddies there to solve the world’s problems. He was a big NASCAR fan and never missed a race on TV. He was even a circle track racer back in his younger days with his brother, Johnnie, and a brother-in-law, Vernon. That is where he was every weekend. Ray was well-known around the Excelsior Springs area by all age groups. He never met a stranger.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Edith; parents, T.R. and Cherry Colbert; three sisters, Ruby Phelps, Sue Norris and Bonnie Gammons; and brothers, Ernest, J.R., Johnnie and Jessie Colbert.

Survivors: his son, Rick Colbert (Sherry Pennington), Excelsior Springs; two daughters, Debby Isabell, Excelsior Springs, Jo Hussy (Larry), Weeki Wachee, Florida; two grandsons, Ricky Colbert (Jamie) Excelsior Springs, and Jamie Hussey, Zephyrhills, Florida; four granddaughters, Krissy Evertson (Chad) Excelsior Springs, Kelly Woyski (Dustin) Liberty, Candee Luther (Steve) Kansas City and Melissa Colbert, Kansas City; 10 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

With deep regret from the family, there will not be a public service in Excelsior Springs because of the present situation with COVID.

Services and burial will take place in Greenville at a later date.

Arrangements through Bross & Spidle Chapels.