Obituary of Blue Ray

C Eugene “Blue” Ray, age 78, longtime Idabel educator and coach passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Idabel, OK. He was born on May 11, 1936 in Haworth, OK. He married Lou Holly in Idabel on July 20, 1957. Blue graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1964. He began his career in education at Eagletown, OK where he spent one year before moving to Temple, OK. While at Temple he was coach of the tumbling team and was named Teacher of the Year. In 1969 Blue came back to McCurtain County, spending one year at Haworth and in 1970 moving to Idabel Public Schools where he would spend the rest of his teaching and coaching career. At Idabel schools Blue served as 9th grade football, baseball and track coach and was also the first girls’ basketball coach in several years. He helped Frances King coach the girls’ track team, winning a state championship that year. Blue never had a losing season coaching 9th grade football and this included several undefeated teams. He was recently elected into the Idabel High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition to his coaching career, Blue spent 33 years as a football and basketball referee as well as a baseball umpire. Blue was a highly regarded official and traveled all over the state officiating games. Recently, Blue has worked at Brinkley Auctions which he very much enjoyed. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping and training horses. Blue was affiliated with the Baptist Faith and was a lifetime resident of the Idabel area. Blue influenced the lives of many of his players and students. He did his best to mold young boys into men with strict but fair discipline and this helped many to become what they are today. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ethel Reed Ray; brothers and sisters, Ambrose, Roy, August, Brooks, Sam, Otho, Floy, Maxine, Evelyn, Arthur, Roberta, Lena and Louise; and a brother-in-law, Ed Holly. Blue leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Lou Ray of the home; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ray and Janice Holly and Charles and Pam Holly all of Red Oak, OK and Bob and Kim Holly of Salt Lake City, UT, Francine and JD Rozelle of Tahlequah, OK, Wilma Hilburn of Red Oak, OK and Doris and Don Wagnon of Strang, OK; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Idabel, OK with Larry Brinkley and Joe Voyles officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the funeral home.