Birth date: Sep 28, 1940 Death date: Jul 11, 2015
John Rayner Blue, 74, retired Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Wagoner passed away July 11, 2015 in Tulsa, OK. John was born September 28, 1940 in Savanna, IL to Harold Lamar and Agnes (Finley) Blue.John is survived by his w Read Obituary
I knew John when attending seminary together. Thereafter, life took us in different directions. Yet he continues to be a memorable presence in my life. I often remember the funny stories he shared, as well as his manner of speech. His burning desire was to be a pastor, and I am happy he received that opportunity. I am sure that he was there for many. God bless his memory.
Lit a candle in memory of John Rayner Blue
we shared time in Beumont
Claudia – Our Wednesday Lunch Group (Class of '61 Lunch Buddies) met today and you were remembered so very fondly by each of us. Mike Norman, Jim Hackler, Jay Cook, Gary Garrison, Carol Lee Stone Preston and I are with you in spirit today and tomorrow. I talked about how beautiful, sweet and kind you were while we were at West High and Central. I remember the day we met in Miss Careys 7th Grade Home Ec class. I remember the day you and Johnny Blue first got together.Although we haven't been in contact since school, I know that you and Johnny Blue had many wonderful years together.Please come to Muskogee some Wednesday and join us for lunch. We go to a different restaurant each week and the locations are posted on our Class of '61 Reunion Web Site or eMail me – [email protected] or call 918-682-4444.You are in our thoughts and prayers, dear Claudia.With much love,Deanna Dean
Claudia, Kevin and Family: My heart aches at Blue's passing. For so long I didn't even know his first name – he was just "Blue." I really enjoyed his visits to my office in Wagoner where we talked about anything, everything and anybody. Healthcare topics, days in Pouteau, politics – it was all fair game during our visits. We sure solved a lot of problems during these visits. We developed such a great relationship. I tried to make sure he always had blueberries to enjoy when he was a patient in Wagoner Community Hospital. My friend, Blue, who I respected so much will be sorely missed. I pray for Claudia and the rest of the family to find peace and comfort from God during the difficult days ahead.Jimmy Leopard
I'm so very, very sorry to hear of John's passing. He was such a good man and one of my few colleagues in ministry who was in no way pretentious, pompous or self-absorbed. He was truly a " man for others, " and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. In 2009, I spoke of him to the entire seminary community. I said: " Every evening of my middler year in seminary, I would sit beneath a huge live oak tree with the the likes of Tom Currie, Fred Morgan and John Blue as together we sipped really bad beer and solved all the world's problems." Furthermore, I proclaimed: "Never before in the history of Austin Seminary has so much wisdom surrounded one live oak tree." The audience laughed, but I was half serious.John Blue was the first truly authentic man I ever met. And as far as I am concerned, he set the standard for what it meant to be real. This world will miss him as will I.—–Bob Lively, '73
Claudia – Our Wednesday Lunch Group (Class of '61 Lunch Buddies) met today and you were remembered so very fondly by each of us. Mike Norman, Jim Hackler, Jay Cook, Gary Garrison, Carol Lee Stone Preston and I are with you in spirit today and tomorrow. I talked about how beautiful, sweet and kind you were while we were at West High and Central. I remember the day we met in Miss Careys 7th Grade Home Ec class. I remember the day you and Johnny Blue first got together.Although we haven't been in contact since school, I know that you and Johnny Blue had many wonderful years together.Please come to Muskogee some Wednesday and join us for lunch. We go to a different restaurant each week and the locations are posted on our Class of '61 Reunion Web Site or eMail me – [email protected] or call 918-682-4444.You are in our thoughts and prayers, dear Claudia.With much love,Deanna Dean
I was saddened to hear about the passing of John. He was one of those high school friends that you never forget. I was so happy for John when he and Cloudia married. A perfect union. I was not surprised when he became a minister. He was a caring, loving person whom I had the pleasure to know and will miss. Francie Bonds Pool
Claudia, I think I'll just pretend that all of us are twenty-one and peering over the edge of our youth at what lies ahead. We had such great Joy, good health, and wonderful friends. You and Johnny were such a huge part of my history. Love & hugs to you, my dear friend.
Sent a gift in memory of John Rayner Blue
