Ray Richard Lykins, age 76 of Clay Center, passed away Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Advena Living Center of Clay Center.

He was born on April 23, 1947, in Clay Center, the son of Lynden Leroy and Edna Margaret (Riechers) Lykins.     He graduated from Blue Valley Rural High School at Randolph with the class of 1965.  Ray was raised on a farm in rural Green and was a lifetime farmer in the Green community.

On May 25, 1968, in Olsburg, he married Diane Carla Nelson.  She survives of the home.

Ray was a member of the Clay Center United Methodist Church, Clay Center Country Club, and Elks Lodge.  He served in the Kansas Army National Guard, served on the board of the Green Fancy Creek Cemetery, and was a member of the Green Lions Club, Clay County Rescue Squad, and the Green Rural Fire Department.

He was an avid hunter, and many hunting stories were told and retold around the kitchen table in their farm home.  In later years, Ray found joy in attending car shows with his friends, and was proud of the many awards he received for his classic car.

In addition to his wife, Diane Lykins, he is survived by one sister, Linda Lykins Whitehead and her husband John of Columbus, Nebraska; two nieces, Sarah Whitehead and husband Mike Patterson of Loomis, California and Amy Whitehead Wagman and husband Jon of Felton, California, and one great nephew, Cyrus Patterson of Loomis, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynden and Edna Lykins, and one nephew, Matthew Whitehead.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Clay Center United Methodist Church with Pastor Ruben Langat, Ph.D. and Herb Mugler officiating.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Green Fancy Creek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Green Cafe or Meadowlark Hospice.  Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.