Nicholas ("Nick") Stephen Rae, age 55, died on February 19, 2026, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas, after a long battle against pancreatic cancer. Nick died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends.

Born on March 18, 1970, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Jeff and Honey Rae, Nick was the eldest of six siblings. He loved his siblings dearly - even if he grumbled about their constant group texts and insisted phone calls were the proper way to communicate.

Nick earned an undergraduate degree in computer science from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where he also participated in the ROTC. After college, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He left the Army in 1999 and moved to Dallas with his future wife, Leslie Masterson. Nick and Leslie married at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in 2001, and Nick later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. Nick built a long and successful career at Vizient, and was Senior Director of Analytics, Quality, and Reporting for Audit Services at the time of his death.

Nick brought light to every room with his energy, warmth, and genuine care for others. He loved helping people, whether guiding his boys, supporting Boy Scouts, coaching youth sports, mentoring employees, or standing by his siblings. If he made a commitment, he kept it. An avid road cyclist, Nick loved a good endurance challenge, and he joined friends and family to complete the Hotter n' Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls many times.

Above all, Nick was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband to Leslie, a proud father to Evan and Colin, and a devoted son. He was a caring brother to Scott (Sarah) and their children Claire, Larkin, Colleen, and Tazewell; Stacey Rae-Shaver (Chris) and their children Cecilia, Camryn, and Caroline; Peter (Meera) and their children Jeffrey, Kourtney, Alex, Emily, Sean, and Taylor; Elaine Loyd (Scott) and their children Allison, Isabelle, and Benjamin; and Katie Lao (Ben) and their children Gavin and Lily. He will be remembered for his follow-through, his generosity, and his love of milk stouts, especially the Lakewood Temptress.

Services will be held on Saturday, February 28, at Zion Lutheran Church at 6121 E. Lovers Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214. Viewing will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) in Nick's memory and have set up a tribute page in his name.