Herman Joseph Ray was born in Muskogee County on May 22, 1931 to Oscar and Savannah Paramore Ray. He was the youngest of 8 children. He died June 29, after a long illness.

Herman attended school in Boynton and Haskell and spent his entire life in the Haskell area. While his brothers and sisters left the farm for life in the city, Herman stayed behind to care for his widowed mother and tend the land he loved so much. He married Ruth Evelyn Walker in 1956, and to this union 5 children were born. Herman and Ruth farmed and raised cattle and were named “Farm Family of the Year in 1978. He was a long time member of both Muskogee County and Okmulgee County Cattlemen Association. In addition to his farming and ranching, Herman and Herman Jr. owned and operated oil and gas leases for many years. Herman will be remembered for his love of his family, his bountiful gardens, going fishing, his great BBQ and his wonderful story telling.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving and faithful wife of 53 years, Ruth, of the home, children, Herman Ray Jr. (Carole) of Haskell, OK, Therman Ray (Marjorie) of Red Bird, OK, Lolita Ray Capers (Delmore) of Oklahoma City, OK, Marschell Ray (Cynthia) of Camarillo, CA and Kirt Ray of Haskell, OK; Brother James Ray of San Jose, CA, and sisters, Daisy Hudson of Kansas City, KS and Marzetta (Ollie) Wade of Diamond Bar, CA; Grandchildren, Shelley, Kyle, Hannah, Eli, Moriah, Shawn, Rachel and William and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; his domino club and many friends.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Catholic Church on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Bryan Brooks, officiating. Interment will follow in Haskell Cemetery. The visitation hours will be today from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A rosary service will follow visitation at 7:00 p.m. at the Ragsdale Funeral Center “Chapel of Respect”.

Ragsdale Funeral Home