George R. Bray, 88, of Tekamah, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, following a massive stroke.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Sept. 8, at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Interment was in the Blair Cemetery.

George Reuben Bray was born Nov. 7, 1921, in rural Burt County to James H. and Ruth (Reed) Bray.

He grew up on a farm near Lake Quinnebaugh. He attended Riverside School and Tekamah High School, where he was on the track and football teams, and where he graduated with the Class of 1940.

He was a World War II veteran. He briefly attended the Merchant Marine Academy in San Mateo, Calif., and enlisted in the Seabees where he worked on the targets for the first atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll.

On June 4, 1947, he married Irma M. Madsen in Arlington.

Mr. Bray was a farmer, amateur geologist and entrepreneur. He discovered limestone deposits on his property and developed the first limestone quarry in Washington County. He was a sports enthusiast.

He is survived by his sons, Ronald Bray of San Carlos, Calif., Roger Bray of Oakland, John Bray of Lyons, and a daughter, Cheryl Ziemann, also of Lyons

. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irma; and three sons, Rodney, Clark and Gary; a brother, Harvey; and sisters, Lorna and MaryJane.

Memorials are suggested to the Tekamah Library Foundation and the Tekamah Rescue Squad.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.