Obituary of Donald G Ray
Donald G. “D Ray” Ray, of the Redland community, passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Paris, TX. Known to his friends affectionately as “D Ray” he was a longtime Haworth School Administrator. He was born to Ambrose and Grace (Phillips) Ray on Thursday October 11, 1945. He grew up in Idabel with his twin brother Ronald and sister, Glynda Ray Burket. He attended Idabel schools where he met the love of his life Mary Ann McKee in 9th grade. After graduating from Gray High School in 1964, he attended college at Wilburton and then Southeastern for a year before marrying Mary Ann, just as he always said he would. On the 6th of May 1966 he enlisted in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and shortly thereafter daughter Ann-Michelle “Shelly” was born. He was stationed at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida, with deployments to Okinawa and Guam.
After leaving the Air Force in March1970 he returned to Durant, OK to finish college at Southeastern. He began work at Haworth Schools in 1973 as a basketball coach, then in 1974 he became a science teacher, the same year second daughter Melissa was born. After 6 years as science teacher, in 1980, he became Principal of the elementary school. Third daughter April was born, followed the next year by son DJ. Even with a house full of children he still found the time, year after year, to coach summer baseball.
Wanting to further his education in the late 1980’s, he began classes at Southeastern and UT Commerce for his Masters in Education. He completed his degree in 1992 and became Superintendent of Haworth Schools where he was able to present a High School Diploma to daughter Melissa and later on April and DJ. He served as superintendent until the end of the 2007-2008 school year when he retired. He continued to be active in the community as a member of the Kiamichi Family Medical board and the Redland cemetery board. He and Mary Ann attended the Redland United Methodist Church and Haworth Assembly of God. He had a green thumb and enjoyed his flowers, working the property, tending his cows, bass fishing, and most of all spending time with his family and dog Sooner.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ambrose and Grace, and his grand-daughter Monica
Donald is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann Ray of the Redland Community, OK, children, DJ Ray and wife Rebecca stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC, Shelly Ray Fuller and Kemp Fuller of Haworth, OK, April Ray Ford and Chris Ford of Mt. Vernon TX, and Melissa Ray Due and Mike Due of Mansfield, TX. He has 8 Grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and the soon to be born Robert Ambrose Washington Ray.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the funeral home.
Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the Haworth First Assembly of God with Pastor Michael Due and Bro. Mark Davidson officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Redland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Gideons to purchase Bibles. Gideons, PO Box 623, Idabel, OK 74745.
