Shorty (Ray) Lara

Shorty (Ray) Lara, 76, died at his home July 9, 2026, in Scott City.

He was born on August 21, 1949, in Lubbock, Tex., the son of John and Lily (Sanchez) Lara.

He had been a resident of Scott City since 1958, moving from Lubbock, Tex., and was a retired carpenter.

Shorty was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Scott City, and the American Legion, Eagles Lodge, and the VFW, all of Garden City.

On Sept. 5, 1987, he married Janie Russell in Tulsa, Okla. She survives.

Other survivors include his daughters, Jennifer Morris and husband, Jamie, Scott City, Elizabeth Lara-Bruffett, Lilly Lara-Tamayo, Liberal, Debbie Lara-Lopez, Dodge City, Julie LaraMarquez, Dodge City, Amanda Lara, Garden City, and Shantice Lara, Dodge City; sons, John Lara, Scott City, Ray John Lara, Garden City, and Johnny Lara, Atwood; sisters, Josie Trujillo, Grand Island, Nebr., and Lori Thalacker, Fort Wayne, Ind.; a brother, Joey Lara, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 26 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Lara; brother, Joe Lara; and two grandsons.

The funeral service will be held on Thurs., July 16, 2:00 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, with Father Don Bedore presiding.

Internment will be in the Scott County Cemetery.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be written to the Shorty Lara Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Homes, Box 553, Scott City, Ks. 67871.