Raymond Dean Kauten

Raymond Dean Kauten, 80, of Sunray, TX passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 20th, 2025.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 28th from 2:30-4:00pm at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 500 N. Maddox with a private burial to take place at Norton Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Dumas.

Ray was born on October 30, 1945 in Norton, KS to Henry and Mabel Kauten. For over 30 years, Ray worked in many capacities for different railroad companies, from crew foreman at Rock Island Railroad to train engineer and engine mechanic at TXNW Railroad. When he wasn’t working on the railroad, Ray had several hobbies that kept him busy at different stages of life. As a young adult, he enjoyed motor sports like sprint car racing and drag races and working on cars. Later on, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and working on cars. After the kids had grown and moved off to start their own families, Ray filled his time by ‘tinkering’ with scrap metal…and working on cars. He had a brilliant mind for mechanical engineering from a lifetime spent working with physical systems. He also had a soft heart for the dogs throughout his life: dachshunds Ginger, Melissa “Mo”, and Norman “Fred”; as well as various rescues and mutts over the years including Shasta, Baby, Lil Bit, and Hayes.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, DeAnna Kauten of Sunray, TX; his daughter Jennifer Danford-Lewis and husband John Lewis of Princeton, MN; his daughter Tabatha Pendley of Borger, TX; his son Nick Kauten and wife Meghan Kauten of San Angelo, TX; and eight grandchildren, Christopher, Elizabeth, Jayce, Landon, Jackie, Jasper, Taylor, and Jozelyn.

He wasn’t a perfect person, but he was the best husband, father, and grandfather that we could’ve asked for. He will be deeply missed…Rest in peace, Raymond.