Rafer was born on June 23, 1961 in Wichita, Kansas to Bart Onwiler and Ellen Hunter Ruiz. After some time living in Wichita, Kiowa and Pennsylvania, Rafer spent the majority of his childhood living in Hazelton, Kansas. He passed away on November 23, 2024 in Kiowa, Kansas from his eight year battle with cancer. During these last 8 years, Rafer has fought this cancer with a fabulous positive attitude, strong faith and a great medical team at KU Med.
Rafer was very fortunate to grow up in a small town surrounded by his grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins (Mitch, Mica, Milford and Meredith) who were more like siblings than cousins. They all lived in Hazelton during their childhood years and attended the same church, schools and spent many hours enjoying time together.
Rafer graduated from South Barber High School with the class of 1979. He then went to Pratt Juco on a debate scholarship – we all know how much he liked to discuss and prove his point! Afterwards he returned back home to Hazelton where he had various jobs throughout the surrounding community. In 1990, Rafer moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend Phoenix Institute of Technology and obtained several certificates in the tech industry. He lived there for 18 years until he moved back to Kiowa/Hazelton in 2008 to help care for his mother during her cancer journey. He then worked for RSI, did some DJ’ing for a local radio station and his last employment was with Horizons Mental Health in Medicine Lodge.
Some of Rafer’s most cherished memories were times spent with his two nephews (Dylan and Logan Conrad). When they were small, Rafer would come home at Christmas and would babysit them for a week while he was back in Kansas. They would enjoy the week bowling, playing video games and just hanging out. Later in life, Rafer loved being able to discuss sports with them – especially KU, Raiders and NBA basketball. There was also always a competitive card game going on whenever the family was together. Rafer also loved attending rock and roll concerts and made several trips with friends to see his favorite bands throughout the years.
Rafer was a lifelong KU Jayhawks, Raiders, Phoenix Suns and Nascar fan. One of the highlights over the last several years was him being able to join Randy and Julie and have season tickets to KU basketball. He loved going to games and especially watching Gradey Dick (grandson of his Hazelton neighbors) play for the Hawks for one season. In March 2024, Rafer was honored as the KU Cancer Fighter Hero of the last basketball game of the regular season.
Rafer is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Randy Conrad of Wichita, Kansas; nephew, Dylan Conrad and wife, Amanda of Charlotte, North Carolina, and nephew, Logan Conrad of Wichita, Kansas; cousins, Mitch Hunter, Mica (Brian) Balster, Milford (Pennie) Hunter, Mira Hunter, Steven Hunter, Tina (Rich Pierce) and Michael (Dessa) Hunter. He is also survived by many other extended family members and close friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Ruiz; father, Bart Onwiler; grandparents, Hugh and Ruth Hunter; uncles, and aunt, Richard Hunter, Clifford and Ona Hunter and cousins, Marcy Hunter, Meredith Hunter, and Lou Hunter.
Funeral service for Rafer will be Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kiowa United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hazelton. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc. Rafer requested casual attire and KU Jayhawks, Las Vegas Raiders or Phoenix Suns attire is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Interim Health Hospice or Kiowa District Hospital through the funeral home.
The family of Rafer would like to say a special thank you to those of you in the community who checked on him and helped him with things during the last several months. A special thank you to Jen Plock, Cierra and McKenna with the Interim Health Hospice team and the Kiowa District Hospital nursing staff.
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Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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Kiowa United Methodist Church
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