Raymond Albert Nowak

Raymond Albert Nowak, 88, died Friday, December 9, 2016 at his home. His wife of 60 years, Wynanda (Hes) Nowak preceded him in death and he leaves his daughters, Renee Nowak and Donna Ives; son-in-law, James M. Ives; granddaughter, Allison Allen; grandson, Kevin Ives; grandson-in-law, Sean Allen; great granddaughters, Corrine Allen and Annalee Allen and sisters, Teresa Danowski, Bernadine Reed and Elaine Kraffa, all of Michigan. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Andrew and Margaret (Ladek) Nowak, he resided in El Paso, Texas after his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1970 as a Sergeant First Class. In his early years, he worked for Kraft Foods, leaving Michigan upon his enlistment in the Army in 1948. He met his wife, Nan, while stationed in Germany and they married in July of 1953 in her hometown of Amsterdam, Netherlands. During his 22 year military career, duty assignments took the family to Colorado, three times to Germany, and finally to Fort Bliss, Texas, where Ray retired. Ray served a tour in Vietnam from November 1968 to August 1969, earning an Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star Medal. Immediately after his retirement on December 31, 1970, he began his second career with Texas Dairy Queen. He quickly rose from manager, to district manager and then finally, owner of three Dairy Queen stores in El Paso. Ray found happiness in hard work and serving others, and in truth, was able to make that his life-long commitment, for on the day of his passing, he was preparing to go to work at the McCombs Dairy Queen. Ray was an active member of this community belonging to the Northeast Civic Association; Disabled American Veterans, NE Chapter #187 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8918 where he valued greatly his friendships and camaraderie. His contributions and support to Children’s Miracle Network and local youth baseball, football and basketball teams was unwavering as well as his care and interest in his employees. Ray was a man who took pride in his work and business, cherished his family, and lived each day with enthusiasm. He will leave an amazing and admirable legacy. Memorial Service will be at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. A Committal Service will follow at 11:30 a.m., at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Wounded Warrior Project. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.