Ray Ruybalid

Celebration of Life Services for Raymond L. "Ray" Ruybalid will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at The Tassel Performing Arts Center in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Matt Snell officiating. Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, following the services.

Raymond Luke Ruybalid, 55 years of age, of Funk, Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at CHI Health - St. Francis in Grand Island, Nebraska. Ray was born September 3, 1962 at Holdrege, the youngest of four children born to Eliud F. and Eufelia (Gallegos) Ruybalid. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Ray received his education from Holdrege Public Schools, graduating from Holdrege High School with the class of 1981. It was between his junior and senior year of high school when Ray got his feet wet in the screen printing business, working for the Ink Spot. These formative years would eventually lead Ray to opening The Screen Machine in 1998. Due to the fact that Ray cared for each customers individual needs, his artistic ability for design, attention for detail, and his people skills created lifelong friendships, and clients coming back to him year after year. It meant the world to Ray for his customers to be pleased with his design, and products.

Besides running his business, Ray had a lifelong passion for tennis, which became a perfect fit for him to accept the positon of head tennis coach at Holdrege High School in 1992. His success on and off the tennis court as a coach was a direct reflection of his connection with kids, and respect of his players. In response, his teams have possessed an attitude of great self-confidence, and a work ethic that didn't want to disappoint Coach Ray. He loved his tennis players! Ray's infectious personality made it easy to be a friend first, and coach second. Tennis player or not, Ray touched the lives of countless students during his tenure. In addition, Ray enjoyed his summers as he directed youth tennis camps, and local tournaments for many years. He was also involved in tournament play, and many friendships were formed throughout the State of Nebraska through his love of tennis.

On April 9, 1983, he was united in marriage to Karla Fries at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, and to this union two children were born: Nicole and Kyle. The family made their home in Funk, Nebraska, where they raised their family. Ray never met a stranger, and he appreciated his many friendships throughout many communities. Above all Ray loved his family, and being a proud Grandpa of three: Cali, Turner, and Samson was a highlight. He always had a special way of creating fun memories with them. Ray loved traveling with Karla to see the kids. He was also a talented handyman, and enjoyed carpentry projects in his spare time.

Besides his parents; he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Willys Fries; and several aunts, and uncles.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 34 years, Karla Ruybalid of Funk; two children: Nicole Eschliman and her husband, Tom; and Kyle Ruybalid all of Ft. Worth, Texas; his beloved three grandchildren: Cali, Turner, and Samson Eschliman; step-mother, Bonnie Ruybalid of Holdrege; mother-in-law, Janice McCarthy of Holdrege; three siblings: Shelly Ruybalid and her special friend, Jeff Bomstad of Littleton, Colorado; Lyle Ruybalid of Sugarland, Texas; and Sherri Thomas and her husband, Mark of Beatrice, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law: Paul Fries and his special friend, Jodi Thompson of Alliance, Nebraska, and Brian Fries of Sacramento, California; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.


Visitation will be held on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Ray's honor, which will be designated at a later date. In addition a Scholarship Fund has been established in his name: c/o the Phelps County Community Foundation in Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.