Raymond Bray's Obituary
Ray was born January 20, 1926 to Edith Howard and Val Bray in Tulsa, OK. His parents separated when Ray was quite young. He lived with his mother until he was 8 when his mother became unable to support him. He then entered foster care until he became old enough to enter the Tulsa Boy’s Home. Whenever he could find a listener he loved to tell them about his years growing up there. He attended Central High School in Tulsa.
He enlisted in the Navy when he was 17. While working on a ship he was injured by a large crane falling on him. Both legs were broken. He was treated in a military hospital in Australia. He liked to tell that they thought he’d never walk again, but he did.
He was saved and baptized in the Presbyterian church at the age of 15, however, he was inactive for many years. In 2005, he and Frankie joined Memorial Baptist Church in Tulsa. He opened doors for Sunday service for many years. He served on the funeral dinner committee also.
He was married to Frankie McKinzie on October 9, 1965, Together they raised 3 children, Dianne, Terry, and James. Terry preceded him in death on December 28, 2004. They also raised a grandchild, Jeremy Crouch.
Ray worked as a mechanic at American Airlines for 35 years and retired at the age of 65.
He is survived by wife of 54 years Frankie; daughter Dianne Whalen; son James Bray; grandsons Jeremy Crouch, Matthew Wallace; great grandson Edward Wallace; sisters Barbara Banister and Judy Ogden.
Church services which will be live streamed from Memorial Baptist church on Thursday April 23 at 1 PM.
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