Ray Gerk

Raymond Pete Gerk passed peacefully on March 5, 2024, just 22 days shy of his 88th birthday.

Ray was born in Ovid on March 27, 1936. He was the second child and oldest son of Pete and Lena (Shank) Gerk. Ray was an avid producer and businessman. As a young farmer, he started his operation growing sugar beets and became knowledgeable on how to produce a valuable crop. He was asked by Holly Sugar to move to Hereford, Texas with his brothers, Robert and Jim, and Don Reuter to raise sugar beets and teach area Texans to grow them. While in the Texas Panhandle, Ray was recognized for his innovation a...