McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Obituaries

December 31, 2012

JB Ray dies at 90

McALESTER — JB Ray, 90, of Tahlequah, died Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Tahlequah.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Kiowa with the Rev. James Crowson officiating. Burial will be at  Oakhill Cemetery in Kiowa. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Tahlequah.

Born Feb. 20, 1922, in Pittsburgh County, he was the son of Joseph “Dick” and Blanche (Jones) Ray. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. He served in the South Seas during his tour.

He taught vocational agriculture in Kiowa for more than 16 years before moving to Tahlequah. He worked as an industrial development specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs until he retired.

He was an active member of the Good Sam Club in Tahlequah, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Kiowa; and he was a member of Park Hill Baptist Church.

He enjoyed life and loved his family.

Survivors include his children, Rodney Ray and wife, Karen, of Owasso, Cynthia Schooley and husband, George, of Tahlequah, Kathy Hewlett, of Tahlequah, Mary Davis and husband, Randy, of Tahlequah, and Jim Ray and wife, Polly, of Kiowa; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elizabeth Ray; one daughter, Judy Ryals; his sister, Gladys Stites, and his brother, Buster Ray.

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