Ray Nelson DuBrueler, age 95, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Winchester Medical Center.

Ray was born on October 25, 1930, in Middletown, Virginia, the son of the late Ralph Cleveland DuBrueler and Mary Ellen (Coffelt) DuBrueler. He attended Middletown High School and went on to live a life defined by hard work, entrepreneurship, and dedication to his community. Early in his career, he worked as a milkman for Shenandoah Pride. He later became a prominent local business owner, serving as the Owner and Operator of Quality Cleaners on S. Pleasant Valley Road since July 4, 1964, and Steamway Carpet Cleaners since 1972. Beyond his businesses, Ray was a talented builder who contributed to the construction of over 200 homes in the Winchester and Warren County areas, a testament to his work ethic that earned him the title of “Builder of the Year” for three different years.

He was a member of the Meadow Mills Church of the Brethren in Middletown. Ray was also deeply involved in local fraternal organizations, holding memberships with the Elks Lodge #967 and Eagles Lodge #824 in Winchester. He was particularly active with the Winchester Moose Lodge #1283, where he rose to the highest degree in the Moose, served as Trustee, and spent a couple of years as the Lodge Administrator.

Ray had a vibrant zest for life and loved boating, water skiing, grilling, and cooking for his family. He cherished packing up the RV for road trips and was an avid NASCAR fan, always cheering on Tony Stewart. Above all, Ray’s greatest passion in life was his family, as well as his beloved work family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Madeline Frances (Helsley) DuBrueler, whom he married on April 30, 1967, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Ray’s legacy lives on through his children: Gloria L. Freye (Daniel) of Richmond, VA, Sandy K. Reen of Richmond, VA, Gary A. DuBrueler of Winchester, VA, Shirley J. Smith of Winchester, VA, Larry A. Luttrell (Carol) of Winchester, VA, and Steve A. DuBrueler (Robyn) of Winchester, VA. He is the proud grandfather of Dustin Smith, Shannon Reen, Rory Reen, Billie Jo Howett, Amy DuBrueler, Megan DuBrueler, Michelle Morris, Collin Graves, Gage Graves, and Timothy Hartley, Jr. He is also survived by 16 cherished great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his sisters, Hazel DuBrueler Coffelt and Margaret Santmyers, and his brothers, Robert “Possum” DuBrueler and Ralph DuBrueler, Jr.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM at
Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel. A reception will follow the service at the Omps South Reception Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Ray’s honor to either: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or Shriners Children’s Philadelphia (Attn: Terry Diamond, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140).