Ray Schuppan passed away quietly at his home in Raton, NM on July 29, 2015. He was 85. Ray was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Floyd R. and Elma Schuppan on March 21, 1930. He grew up in Banner County, NE and Goshen County, WY.
Ray was a farrier, brand inspector and later a mail carrier in Goshen County. He later became an inspector and zone manager for Oppenheimer Industries where he helped with cattle operations on ranches in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas.
In later years Ray started collecting bits, spurs and cowboy memorabilia. He later served as the President of the National Bit, Spur and Saddle Collectors Association.
Ray is survived by his wife Charlotte Hennigan, son Punch Hennigan and his wife Rose, daughter Debbie Floyd and her husband Wes, daughter Sharla Kirkman and her husband Steve. All from the Raton, NM area. Son Brad Schuppan and his wife Darla from Angel Fire, NM, daughter Beckie Havely and husband Pat from Torrington, WY, and daughter Robyn Schuppan from Cheyenne, WY. Brother Ralph Schuppan and wife Darlene of Torrington, WY. Nephew Rod Schuppan and wife Cathy of Morrill, NE, and neice, DeDe Buckhaults and husband Ross of Yoder, WY. Grandchildren Tara Jeanne Schuppan, Katie Toxclair, John “J.J.” Floyd, Brian Hennigan and Alisa Levandoski.
Great grandchildren Triston, Justin and Jack.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Elma and nephew Ed Schuppan.
Services will be held at 2:00pm, Thursday August 6th, 2015 at the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home in Raton, NM.
A gathering of friends and family for the celebration of Ray’s life will be held in the Torrington, WY area at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the National Bit, Spur and Saddle Collectors Association (NBSSCA) Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 1969, Addison, TX 75001.
He will be remembered and missed by many.
