Raymond Evert Colbert, 90, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at his home in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Ray was born on Veteran’s Day, November 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, Texas. 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 this 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 we were every weekend. Ray was very 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; his parents, TR and Cherry Colbert; three sisters, Ruby Phelps, Sue Norris, and Bonnie Gammons; four brothers, Ernest, JR, Johnnie, and Jessie Colbert.
Survivors include his son, Rick Colbert (Sherry Pennington), Excelsior Springs; two daughters, Debby Isabell, Excelsior Springs, and Jo Hussy (Larry), Weeki Wachee, Fla.; two grandsons, Ricky Colbert (Jamie), Excelsior Springs, and Jamie Hussey, Zephyrhills, Fla.; four granddaughters, Krissy Evertson (Chad), Excelsior Springs, Kelly Woyski (Dustin), Liberty, Mo., Candee Luther (Steve), Kansas City, Mo., and Melissa Colbert, Kansas City, Mo.; 10 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.
With deep regret from the family, we will not be having a public service in Excelsior Springs because of the present situation with Covid.
Services and burial will take place in Greenville, Texas at a later date.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
So very sorry for your loss.
Kim White
So sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. My dad worked with Ray in Texas, and we also moved to Excelsior in 1970. Ray helped me many times when i had car trouble, and he was always fun to sit and talk to. May God’s peace and comfort be with his family.
Steve McLendon
I enjoyed visiting with your dad. I am going to miss him very much. ESNR Family.
Rache McKee
One of the many things I enjoyed about moving to Excelsior Springs was all the great people that I meet. One of the biggest characters was Ray Colbert. There was and never will be a character like him. Earth is reduced but heaven has to be a little better off.
Carl Harper
So sorry to hear that Ray passed away praying for everyone.
Debbie Richardson
My heart goes out to the whole family. Raymond was so Special! No matter what age ya was him and Edith made ya feel like family. I will always carry a special place in my heart for him. I could sit for hours listening to him tell stories with that Texas accent! Love and Miss ya Raymond.
Deby Green Culbertson
