Ray E. Herrington

Ray Edgar Herrington, 96, entered his eternal heavenly home on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care in Bassett, NE. Ray was born on April 12, 1929, in Atkinson, NE to Edgar E. and Lela O. (Davis) Herrington. He lived his entire life in the Sandhills of Rock County. As a young boy, he helped the family milk cows and care for the livestock and animals. He rode a horse to a one-room schoolhouse until he was in the 8th grade. He didn’t have the privilege to attend high school as he was needed at home to help run the ranch. His grandfather gave him ten cows for his sacrifice and that is how Ray got his start in the cattle business.

Ray married Wanda Della Lena Wolfe on May 16, 1950, at Ainsworth, NE. Three children were born to this union: Joan Lela in 1951, Thomas Lee in 1952 and William Ray in 1954. They made their home on Ray’s parents’ ranch near Brown Lake until they moved up to the main ranch in 1963. Ray spent many hours feeding, roping and doctoring cattle. He became pretty handy with a rope and with his love for rodeo, he started participating in calf roping and team roping. At the age of 65, he still roped with his grandchildren. Ray raised Hereford cattle and was selected as the Commercial Hereford Breeder of the Year in 1988. In the 1990s, he and son Bill, started F1 Cross and transitioned into straight black cattle. Grandson Beau, joined the team in 2000 to continue the legacy.

Ray and Wanda were great supporters of rodeo, basketball, volleyball and football. They seldom missed a game a grandkid was in and you could always hear Ray on the sidelines cheering the loudest. One year, they received the Fans of the Year award, which they were very proud of.

Ray spent many hours in his John Deere tractor moving dirt and bales of hay. One of Ray’s biggest accomplishments was being on the board of directors with the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame and was a 2009 inductee with some of the greatest cowboys in the state of Nebraska.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Lela Herrington; brother Roy (Lotus) Herrington; sisters, Dorothy (Frank) Nachtman and Donna (Dwayne) Tasler; son, Thomas Herrington; son-in-law, Eddie Davis; and his wife of 75 years, Wanda who passed away on May 21, 2025. Left to mourn his passing are his children, Joan (Abbie) Thorne of Adair, OK, and Bill (Becki) Herrington of Bassett; eight grandchildren, Shawna Skaggs of Kearney, NE, Shareen (Wade) Dearmont of Bassett, Delynn Plott of Bassett, Diann (Jeffrey) Thorne of Cleburne, TX, Beau (Shelly) Herrington of Bassett, Brenna (Eric) Kohle of Stuart, NE, John Herrington of CA, Thomas J. Herrington of Ft. Wayne, IN; 16 great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Skaggs, Justin (Rachel), Dalton and Dalya Dearmont, Phillip, Clayton and Olivia Plott, Logan and Grace Thorne, Gage, Maci, Ryli and Coy Herrington, Jacob, Jett and Ty Kohle; four great-great-grandchildren, Paisley, Hadley, Bailey and Mathew Dearmont; niece, Terri (John) Peonio and their children, Johnnie and Travis; along with many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Memorial Service was held on Monday, August 18, 2025 in the Bassett Methodist Church. Pastor Jenice Epp officiated at the event. Music was provided by Faye Smith and special music was provided Mike Baxter performing the songs, “I’ll Fly Away” and “Long Hard Ride.” Honorary Bearers were: All of Ray’s Neighbors & Friends. A Private Family Inurnment will be held in the Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date. Memorials were suggested to the Rock County Ag Society in Ray’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of the arrangements and online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com