From Ray’s son Matt:

My father, Gus Raymond “Ray” Alborn Jr passed away at 3:02pm today (Wednesday) at the age of 87.

He was surrounded by Family. His suffering is over. I hope there’s football and humor in Heaven.

He was my hero.

UPDATE:

Visitation next Wednesday Nov 11th visitation 6-8pm at Settgast Kopf in Sugarland.

Memorial service at 11am Thursday Nov 12 Sugarland Methodist on Eldridge

RIP Coach Alborn!

He represented Rice with honor. Express my sympathy.

One season he won games in College Station, Fort Worth, Fayetteville, the Astrodome, and at home against LSU, and we thought he had this thing turned around. He may not have been the best head coach we've ever had, but he was certainly the funniest (and just a great person). "It's a red-ass world" without him.

(11-06-2026 09:32 AM)wrysal Wrote:  One season he won games in College Station, Fort Worth, Fayetteville, the Astrodome, and at home against LSU, and we thought he had this thing turned around. He may not have been the best head coach we've ever had, but he was certainly the funniest (and just a great person). "It's a red-ass world" without him.

And he had played at Rice under Neely.

He retired and moved up to Ruidoso. NM about 10-15 years ago. He actually was mayor for a few years. I never bumped into him during my time there. But everyone had good things to say about him.
Rice Owl.. through and through. RIP

My favorite coach ever, and my tenure started with Neely.