Tom was always taking care of others and, if I ever needed him, he was there. The way I got to know him was my first business seminar back in the 80's. We were scheduled to be in Stillwater for a week and I had not quite recovered from a bad flu bug. It hit me again while we were in the training session. You know how when one is so sick, no matter how old we are, we still want our mothers? Well, I didn't get mom, but the next best thing was Tom Ray. He padded down the hall barefoot and in his pajamas in the middle of the night. Brought me 7-Up and cold compresses for my head. He pulled me through that week long ordeal – and became a dear friend from then on.Tom was always there – through thick and thin. He was truly my big brother – not by birth, but by choice. I learned a lot from this wonderful man and will miss him terribly. – Shannon Warren, OKC