Ray LeDon Boice

Ray LeDon Boice

July 8, 1938 – August 1, 2025

Ray LeDon Boice was born in Eldorado, Kansas where he graduated from Eldorado High School in 1957.  He met Ann and were married in September 1960.  They celebrated 63 years of marriage.  He attended Butler County Junior College, completed a bachelor’s degree at Emporia State Teachers College, and furthered his education by completing a master’s degree as a school psychologist.  He loved playing high school and college baseball and was in the Phi Delta Kappa fraternity.   He was Director of Special Education for 20+ years. He also worked at the School for the Visually Impaired in Nebraska City.  They enjoyed living in Hays KS, Shenandoah, Iowa, Nebraska City, LeMars Iowa, most years in Gering, Ne, and Omaha.

Being part of Boy Scouts was also of tremendous importance to Ray, especially working alongside his son Matthew to become an Eagle Scout and the two of them undertaking all the foundational projects that define what scouting is.  One spot was named Gold Seal Park – an honor achieved through the clean-up efforts. One of Ray’s favorite pursuits was SOAR, Save Our American Resources, a patch program boy scouts could earn to be part of preserving something endangered.

Tree planting initiatives became an annual event for many years, even extending to Fort Robinson.  In addition, the park behind their Gering home is an arboretum, thanks to Ray getting it started, which features more than 26 tree species.  It too became a project that developed into a beautiful walking trail, waterfall, park benches here and there with other recognitions of people who have joined and donated to the efforts.  His beautification projects did not end there.  He made sure those honored in Boy Scouts and veterans had their own monument behind the city building in Gering.

Ray developed a Resource Guide for Educators on the Development of Natural Resources and Conservation Curriculum at the Wildcat Hills.  He found the oldest tree in Nebraska very near the Wildcat Hills.  He also sparked discovery of “The Fossil Freeway” where the area is rich with archeological findings and fossils.  Found less than an acre away from the highway, 44 creatures discovered by a paleontologist.  In that discovery were 3 different types of 3-toed horses which was the first discovery of them.  Ray loved helping build an indoor/outdoor beehive that is still active today at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center.  Another favorite accomplishment was creating a Bluebird Trail where Boy Scouts built and placed many blue bird houses all around the Wildcat Hills.  He received many honors and recognitions, including trips to Washington DC, for the Clean Air Award, Seattle to share his programs in Special Education processes, and Syracuse NY to accept the Hornady Award.

Ray and author Loren Eisley would likely have been good friends had they lived in the same time frame.  Like Ray, Loren Eisley, paused to ponder the wonder of nature in the simplest forms of birds, natural flowers and habitat, prairies, trees, bugs, bees, and fossils. All these forms of life and nature represent the core of the beauty of Nebraska.  Ray’s efforts for beautification have never gone unnoticed.  He has touched many aspects of western Nebraska helping keep it beautiful and pure.  He has done so much for people, nature, community, and preservation.

He is survived by his daughter Amy Houlton (Terry), granddaughter Sophie St. Amour, daughter-in-law Cheryl Boice, Colter Boice (Mandy), great grandson on the way, Samantha Martin (Austin), and great grandchild Crew.

He is preceded in death by his son, Matthew Boice; beloved wife, Carole Ann Boice; brother Richard Boice; and parents, Ted and Alice (Chance) Boice.

A Celebration of life will be held this fall in Gering, NE, with the location and memorial details to be determined.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com