Ray A. Lancaster (Aka "Neighbor")

MUNCIE - Ray A. Lancaster (aka "Neighbor"), age 77, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2022, following a brief illness.

He was born abroad in Surrey, England, on November 15, 1945, and was the first-born child to Floyd and Patricia Lancaster, while Floyd was serving in the United States Army.

Ray graduated from Southwestern High School in Lafayette, Indiana, in May 1963. Following his father's footsteps into military service, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 1964. He served in a variety of roles during his 20 years of service, honorably retiring in October 1984 with a rank of Master Sergeant. A Vietnam veteran (1971-1972), he earned a variety of medals and decorations, including: Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in 1977, and later named to the

All-Air Force fast pitch softball team.

Following retirement from the Air Force, he spent the next 30+ years working at Eby Construction and was the owner of Legacy Homes. During that career, he provided his friends and colleagues with a plethora of humorous phrases too remember. Samples include "a dollar two ninety-eight" and "ain't no doubt in my military mind."

Ray is survived by his brother, Loren Lancaster of Lafayette; sister, Roxanne Kirby of Channahon, Illinois; daughter, Leslie Walden of Greentown, Indiana; two sons, Brian Lancaster of San Jose, Califonia, and Bradley Lancaster of Ada, Michigan; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; five nephews, Sean Sullivan, Ryan Lancaster, Patrick Lancaster, Christopher Lancaster, Brett Lancaster; and longtime friend, Sam Sampedro of Great Falls, Montana. Ray was preceded in death by his parents.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana.

At Ray's request, there will be no formal funeral services. There will be a graveside service at Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana, on July 3, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Muncie Mission, 1725 S. Liberty Street, Muncie, IN 47302, or Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1119, Muncie, IN 47308.