Ray Gene Dreher

Ray Gene Dreher, son of Dean Hawley and Teresa Dreher, was born February 27, 1964, in Meade, Kansas, and passed away at the Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas, on December 6, 2024, at the age of 60.
Ray graduated from Indian Springs High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the Class of 1982, and proudly served his country in the Air National Guard from 1983 to 1989, with the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka, KS. He was honorably discharged with the exit rank of Sergeant.
Following his move to Norton, he met the love of his life, Jamie Lea Covington. They were united in marriage on September 2, 1989, and added to their family two sons, Zachary and Dakota. They continued to make their home in Norton where he was employed in various law enforcement positions within Norton County. He later made the move to NW Kansas Community Corrections where he served as Probation and Parole Officer for nine counties in the northwest Kansas region. He retired at the end of December 2023, and enjoyed family trips to various locations including San Diego, California, and San Antonio, Texas, to celebrate his retirement and their anniversary.
Family was very important to Ray, and he enjoyed following the boy's activities and high school games, going on trips with his wife and family. They were blessed with beautiful grandchildren and he cherished his time being a grandpa. Ray had a love of music and cars and was very talented in his cooking skills and drawing of cartoon characters.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Jamie, of their home in Norton; two sons, Zachary (Remington) Dreher, Emporia, Kansas; Dakota Dreher, Norton; two grandchildren, Ryker and Theodin Dreher; one daughter, Jenna Jones, along with three children Everett, Vincent and Quinlynn, St. Mary's, Kansas; his father-and-mother-in-law, Bob and Linda Covington, Almena, KS; brothers-in-law, JB (Judi) Covington, Phillipsburg, Kansas; James (Nicole) Covington, Denver, Colorado; and sister-in-law, Julie Hilburn, Almena, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews; his father, Dean Hawley and two brothers, Timothy Ashworth and Patrick Hawley.
While Ray had his biological family, he felt he found his true home and family connection with the Gene Carter family in Norton, who welcomed him in as their own. With them he is survived by his parents, Gene and Linda Carter; sister, Joslyn (Chris) Henson; all of Norton; one niece, one nephew and three grand-nieces.
VISITATION: Monday, December 9, 2024 – 5:00-7:00 p.m.
PLACE – Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home – 215 W. Main – Norton, KS
FUNERAL SERVICE – Tuesday, December 10, 2024 – 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home
INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, KS
MEMORIALS – Ray Dreher Memorial Fund
ARRANGMENTS BY – Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home in Norton