Ray A. Nycum, Jr.

            Ray A. Nycum, Jr., 81 of Altoona died early Saturday afternoon August 28, 2021, at UPMC Altoona surrounded by his family.

            He was born April 19, 1940, in Altoona a son of the late Ray A., Sr. and Margaret O. (Brown) Nycum. He married Susan J. Hazen in Altoona.

            Surviving is his wife, Sue; a son, Jeffrey A. Nycum and his wife, Susan of Bellwood; two grandchildren, Andrew R., and Allison Z. Nycum both of Bellwood; four siblings, Steven Nycum and his wife Sandy; Sharon Brumbaugh and her husband Clair all of Hollidaysburg; Karen Aiken and her husband Jim of Juniata; Dave Nycum and his wife Mary of Marion Center; and the following nieces and nephews: Craig, Lori, Mike, Stephanie, Scott, Andy, Ross and Anna.

            Ray was preceded in death by an infant sister, Peggy Nycum; mother-in-law, Loretta S. Hazen (Bolger) and her husbands, Howard Hazen, and Ted Bolger; brother-in-law, Allan Hazen.

            Mr. Nycum was a life member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Juniata.

            He was a 1958 graduate of Altoona High School and a 1962 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education.

            He began his career as an English teacher at Altoona Area High School and was then employed as the director of the night school program at Penn State Altoona. Following, he was a sales representative for Lawson Products and then became a representative for Schuylkill-Haven Casket Company. Ray retired as a public liaison for Representative Jerry Stern’s Office. He was the owner/operator of the SunnyCrest Ice Cream stand for many years.

            Ray was an over 50 year member of Logan Lodge, #490 Free & Accepted Masons where he served as Steward for many years; an over 50 year member of the Valley of Altoona, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite bodies; an over 50 year very active member of Jaffa Shrine where he was a member and Past President of the Mounted Patrol; he served as a Divan Aid, Usher, and editor of the Jaffa Journal for years. He was a member of the following: Jaffa Antique Car Club; Altoona Court #70, Royal Order of Jesters; Colotic Miztli #91, Order of Quetzalcoatl; Altoona Shrine Club where he served as Past President; and the Jaffa Roadrunners. Ray was very involved with the annual Jaffa Shrine Circus and Sportsman’s Show. He served as President of Church Council, Trustee and Head Usher, and cooked breakfast for Easter Sunrise services for years at Trinity Lutheran Church.

            Ray took pride in watching Andrew play baseball and football, and in watching Allison dance. He also enjoyed attending the annual Brown family reunions, horses, hunting, fishing, and traveling.

            Friends will be received from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday August 31, 2021 at Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona, where a Masonic funeral service will be held at 7 p.m., and 10-11 a.m. Wednesday September 1, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 408 North Sixth Avenue, Altoona where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. with Rev. Elizabeth Hess officiating. Interment will be made at Logan Valley Cemetery, Bellwood.

            In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations please be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, in care of Jaffa Shrine, PO Box 1984, Altoona, PA 16603-1984 or to Trinity Lutheran Church.

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