OBITUARY

NAME: Thomas "Tinker" Ralph Ray, age 84, a lifelong Ward's Chapel area resident.

BORN: He was born on Friday, June 3, 1932 to Ralph Dillon and Edna Cleetes (Hankins) Ray at the homeplace on Ray Ranch, where he lived his entire life.

PASSED AWAY: Tinker passed away on April 17, 2017 at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, TX.

AGE: 84 years 10 months 14 days

EDUCATION: Tinker attended Ward's Chapel grade school and graduated from Atoka High School. He went on to attend Murray State College and graduated from Oklahoma A & M now OSU with a degree in Animal Husbandry. Tinker went on to attend SOSU to get his teaching degree, he taught school several years in many rural schools in Atoka County. He was also a rural mail carrier for several years.

OCCUPATION: He was a rancher, raised and sold registered Brangus cattle, along with his brother O.P. They owned and operated Ray Brother's 7R Ranch, which still holds the record for average daily gain for Brangus Breed.

MILITARY: He proudly served his nation in the Oklahoma National Guard which was activated to U.S. Army during the Korean War in the 45th M.P. Division.

MARRIED: Tinker married Elma Lou Byrum on November 26, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Atoka, OK. They had 59 wonderful years together before her passing in 2013.

CHURCH AFFILIATION, HOBBIES AND OTHER AFFILIATIONS: He and his brother were recognized as owning a centennial ranch in Oklahoma. Tinker was an Ambassador who traveled to Mexico to set up a partnership to establish corridors in trading with ranchers in the U.S. through the National and Oklahoma Cattleman's Association and the Department of U.S.D.A.

SURVIVED BY

CHILDREN: David Ray and wife Janet of Atoka, OK

Valerie Ray of Washington State

Beverly Ray Cochran and husband Scott of Atoka, OK

SISTER: Sue Hilton of Atoka, OK

GRANDCHILDREN: Julie Ray of Atoka, OK

Carli Gaines and husband Will of Oklahoma City, OK

Jeffrey Ray and wife Courtney of Atoka, OK

Dillon Cochran, attending college at OSU, of Atoka, OK

Dustin Cochran, attending college at OSU, of Atoka, OK

GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Austin Self, Elijah Self, Jackson Self, Jedidiah Self, Owen Gaines and Oliver Perry Ray

NIECE: Jan Corbin and husband Bill of Gladewater, TX

Along with a host of Hankins, Rays and Betts family members and many dear and loved friends.

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY

PARENTS: Ralph and Edna Ray

WIFE: Elma Lou Ray

BROTHER: O.P. Ray

SISTER: June Stewart

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DATE OF GRAVESIDE SERVICES: 3 :00 PM Sunday, April 23, 2017

DATE OF MEMORIAL SERVICES: Saturday, May 27, 2017, time to be announced at a later date

PLACE OF GRAVESIDE SERVICES: Ward's Chapel Cemetery, Atoka, Oklahoma

MINISTER: Rev Tom Hargrave

INTERMENT: Ward's Chapel Cemetery, Atoka, Oklahoma

CASKETBEARERS: Pat Loftis, Glen Carroll, Jim Hardman, Eugene Swindell, Dillon Cochran, Dustin Cochran, Jeffrey Ray, Will Gaines

CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET. PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

VISITATION SATURDAY 6-8PM

SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

BROWN 'S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK

In lieu of flowers, Family requests memorial donations be given to the following:

Reba's Ranch House

5036 Reba Drive

Denison, TX 75020

Wards Chapel Baptist Church

2392 S. Wards Chapel Rd

Atoka, OK 74525

1. Judes Children's Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105