Raymond Charles Homolka, 78, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, joined his Heavenly Father on Saturday, August 29, 2026, after a courageous 3 ½ year struggle with brain cancer.

Ray was born on February 25, 1948, in Belleville, Kansas, to Charles A. Homolka and Faye E. (Wineinger) Homolka of Munden, Kansas. He graduated from Munden High School in 1966. He graduated from Kansas State College of Pittsburg (now Pittsburg State University) in May 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology, majoring in Automotive Technology.

On June 13, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pittsburg, Ray married Mary Jo Marschallinger after meeting at a college Newman Club event in September of 1968.

Ray joined the Army National Guard in November of 1970. After basic and specialized training as Armor Recon Specialist at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to the Kansas Army National Guard in Pittsburg to complete his remaining 5+ years of service.

Many of the positions that Ray held utilized his extensive ability of diagnosing, then repairing, mechanical and electrical issues. He worked as a Warranty/Service Technician for IMS in Farmington, NM, 1995-1997 and for HIX Corporation, Pittsburg, KS, 1988-1994. In Overland Park, KS, 1986-1987, Ray performed home inspections and repairs. He worked at Ford Motor Company 1975-86, in the Kansas City area at the parts distribution center, then at the assembly plant. Ray also held positions as Production/Field Service Technician and Automotive Repair Instructor.

Home for Ray was Munden, KS 1948-1969; Pittsburg, KS 1970-1974; Shawnee, KS 1975-87; back to Pittsburg 1988-1994; Farmington, NM 1995-2015; then retiring to Albuquerque, NM 2016 to be near his son and granddaughters.

Ray enjoyed sailing, motorcycle trail riding, camping, hiking, and snowshoeing. He found repairing Jeep Cherokees, classic motorcycles, and antique boat motors challenging and rewarding. All types of home and landscape improvements gave him great pleasure. He shared these skills and hobbies with many family members, friends, and neighbors.

For many years, hosting Coffee & Donuts after 8 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Parish in Farmington, NM, reinforced the “church family” for Ray. After retiring to Albuquerque in 2016, he attended St. Jude Thaddeus Parish.

Ray is survived by his wife, Mary Jo. He was very proud of son, Chris and granddaughters, Katie and Madison, who also survive, all of Albuquerque. Other survivors are brother Kay Homolka and wife Jean of Eudora, KS, and sister Beverly Ronnabaum of Topeka, KS, and many others in the Homolka extended family. Ray is also survived by the following in-laws: Phil and Jean Falke of Odessa, MO; Joyce Feder of Stillwell, KS; Tim and Linda Collar of Lee’s Summit, MO; Paul and Irma Gaudutis of Oak Grove, MO; and many others in the Marschallinger extended family.

On Friday, October 9, 2026, at 5 pm, Fr. Gnanasekar Kulandai will lead a Rosary for Ray at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, 1104 20th St., Belleville, KS, followed by a short reception at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Gnanasekar, will be held at St. George Catholic Church, 105 Myrza Street, Munden, KS, at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Burial will follow at St. George Cemetery, rural Munden. Dinner will be served at St. George Church basement after burial.

The Homolka family requests no flowers please. Memorial donations may be given to St. George Parish or to Operation Smile, and mailed in care of the family to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Homolka family with these arrangements.