Deceased Name: Ray A. Auten ,
76
Services for Ray A. Auten , 76, of Lake Murray Village, were
held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Flanagan- Watts Funeral Home
Chapel, Marietta, with Rev. James Wigington officiating.
Interment with full military honors followed in Rose Hill
Cemetery, Ardmore, with the Patriot Guard providing taps.
Arrangements are under the direction of Flanagan- Watts Funeral
Home .
Born Sept. 8, 1932, in Gastonia, N. C., the son of Martin T. and
Sara Emma Henderson Auten , Mr. Auten passed away Thursday, Dec.
18, in Mercy Memorial Health Center, Ardmore.
A resident of the Carter/ Love County area for the past 28 1/ 2
years, Mr. Auten graduated from Gastonia High School. He and
Elva L. Armstrong were married June 6, 1953, in the First
Baptist Church of Caddo. Mr. Auten retired in 1980 after serving
28 years in the U. S. Air Force. Highly decorated, he received
numerous honors, including the Joint Service Commendation, the
Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air
Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Small
Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal
with Three Bronze Loops, the Air Force Longevity Service Award
with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service
Medal with One Battle Service Star, the Vietnam Service Medal,
the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster,
the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device.
Mr. Auten was then employed as the personnel manager for
Marietta Bakery for 14 1/ 2 years. He was a life member of the
Disabled American Veterans, the Retired Enlisted Association and
the Ardmore Elks Lodge No. 1906. His hobbies included fishing
and woodworking, and when he was younger he enjoyed hunting. Mr.
Auten was of the Baptist faith.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Ruth
Myers.
Survivors include his wife, Elva L. Auten of the home ; two
sons, Marty A. and wife Janee' Auten of Ardmore and Buddy Auten
of Ft. Rucker, Ala.; daughter-in-law Debbie Auten of Lone Grove;
brother and sister-in-law Roy K. and Evelyn Auten of Gastonia;
four sisters and brother-in-law, Rosy Milliken of Gastonia, Ruby
Hanna of Gastonia, Rita Sims of York, S. C., and Roberta and
Nelson Simpson of Gastonia; six grandchildren, Samantha Auten of
Ardmore, Kristen Auten of Ardmore, Kendall Auten of Ardmore,
Nicholas Auten of Lone Grove, R. C. Betancourt of Edmond and
Monica McCurtain of Ardmore; and three great-grandchildren,
Madison McCurtain, Logan McCurtain and Emma McCurtain.
Serving as bearers were nephews Henry Armstrong, John Armstrong,
Eric Armstrong, Larry Mueller, J. P.
Wigington and Mike Hajkowski. Honorary bearers were all of Mr.
Auten 's other nephews and nieces in Oklahoma, Texas and North
Carolina.
Everyone is welcome to sign the online guest book at
wattsfuneralhome.com.
Durant Daily Democrat (OK)
Date: December 23, 2008
