Raymond E. “Ray” Bomberger, 86, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital.
Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Raymond E. and Gladys I. (Keeports) Bomberger.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Melissa and her husband Jacob Deininger, and by numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, stepfather, and grandparents, all of whom played a profound role in his life.
A proud veteran, Ray served his country in the U.S. Army and later as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years, earning a letter of commendation from his colonel. His patriotism continued throughout his life, reflected in his memberships in the American Legion, VFW, and numerous Masonic and Shrine organizations, including GH Lodge, Masons Lodge #665, Shriners, Lancaster and Reading Lodges of Perfection, Rajah Shrine, Lancaster County Shrine Club, Tall Cedars, and the Slumbering Ground Hog Lodge of Quarryville.
Ray lived a life full of hard work, service, creativity, and joy. As a boy, he sold potato chips and flowers to neighbors from his bicycle and worked alongside his grandfather at Keeports Dairy, whom he always called “the greatest Grampa in the world.” He later sold French fries at Lancaster and Lincoln Speedways and newspapers in Lancaster at the corner of Prince and Chestnut and never lost his entrepreneurial spirit.
He had a lifelong passion for cars. Ray owned an award-winning 1939 Chevy and a 1969 Pontiac Firebird, and he and his daughter spent years restoring the Chevy from the ground up while hunting for parts together. He was active in numerous automotive clubs, including the Antique Auto Club of America – Hershey Region, Red Rose Antique Auto Club, and other regional groups. As a young man, he even built a soap box racer modeled after his favorite driver, Buzzy Richardson’s car.
Ray loved fairs, racing, hunting, fishing, camping with family, feeding the birds, and going to car shows with his daughter. He enjoyed reading, football-especially Penn State-and a cold Pepsi. He also looked forward every year to the New Holland and Ephrata farm show parades.
A man of deep faith and dedication, Ray served his church as an elder, chairman of the church council, treasurer, and as a key contributor to the financing of a new church building. He also served as treasurer for the Road Deacons Rod & Custom Club and volunteered at Blessings of Hope Food Bank. He regularly gave blood and continued to volunteer in the community as recently as this holiday season.
Ray excelled professionally in many fields. He was one of the original co-owners of Ames Construction, where he became well known for his work on numerous commercial projects, including negotiating the development of the Ephrata Rec Center, for which he will always be remembered. He worked as a construction consultant, flipped houses, served as a realtor, and was an award-winning sales manager for Redman Homes. As a Director of Real Estate and Construction, he built 13 restaurants and remodeled many others. He was involved in three business partnerships and was known as a natural problem solver whose advice was sought by many. In retirement, he enjoyed working at Dutch Wonderland, where he drove the train for the children.
Ray designed and built his own home, volunteered to rehab a house in Biloxi, Mississippi after a hurricane, and served as a Big Brother. He was active in Junior Achievement as a sales advisor, president of his bowling league, and a steward for many years at the Ephrata Masonic Lodge. A graduate of Garden Spot High School, Class of 1957, he served as class Vice President and even held the lead role of Newt Cooper, Sheriff, in the senior play Drums of Death.
He cherished time with his family, including years of traveling by train with his mother and friends to the Grocer’s Picnic in Atlantic City and many vacations with his daughter-among them a trip to Europe. One of his favorite memories was taking his daughter to seven amusement parks on seven consecutive days.
Ray treasured relationships and always said “thank you.” He had over 13 joyful years with his companion, Donna. He loved buying gifts for family and took great pride in his daughter’s accomplishments.
He cared lovingly for his parents in their later years. He will be laid to rest beside them in Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 5 to 7 PM, at Stradling Funeral Home, 201 Church Avenue, Ephrata. An additional viewing will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, from 10 to 11 AM, at the funeral home, followed by his funeral at 11 AM, with Pastor Mark Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ray’s memory to Masonic Homes, 1 Masonic Dr, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata. Online condolences can be given at stradlingfuneralhome.com.
