1927-2026
DODGE CITY – Ray Dewell, 99, died Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.
He was born March 2, 1927 at Fowler, Kansas, the son of Ralph and Dorothy (Shellhammer) Dewell. He was a graduate of Fowler High School and upon graduation he joined the United States Navy and served as an Aviation Radioman until his discharge in 1946. After his military service he received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kansas. On August 6, 1950 he married Jean Marie Minnis at Bucklin, Kansas. They were longtime residents of Winfield, Kansas where Ray spent most of his working career with Farm Bureau as a Life Insurance Agent. Jean preceded him in death on August 3, 2024 at which time he moved to Dodge City.
He was a member of the Winfield Methodist Church, Lions Club, American Legion and a life member of the KU Alumni. He was past president of the Kansas Farm Bureau Agents Association, past president of the Southern Kansas Life Underwriters Association and a member of the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters. He enjoyed fishing and playing golf.
Survivors include: his son, Craig Dewell and wife Kris, Hays; his daughter, Renae Metzger, Dodge City; 4 grandchildren, Scott Metzger and wife Sarah, Cyndy Torres and husband Richard, Ryan Dewell and wife Jessica and Matt Dewell and wife Lindsey; 10 great grandchildren; and 2 sisters, Marcie Hoffman, Oklahoma City and Pat Fisher, Bucklin.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Douglas Ray Dewell, 4 brothers, Duke, J.P., Lyman and Halbert Dewell, 2 sisters, Mudge Eaton and Mary Dewell and a son-in-law, Randy Metzger.
Memorial service will be at 11:00 am Friday, May 15, 2026 at Cross Connection Church, Dodge City, with Pastor Josh Smith officiating. Inurnment will be at 2:00 pm Friday in the Bucklin Cemetery with military honors by the United States Navy and SWKS Veterans Funeral Honor Guard. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.
The family suggests memorials to the Parkinson’s Foundation in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.zieglerfuneralchapel.com
