Clifford Ray, Sr.
 Cemetery Photo Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma
 

Photo © by Will McCutcheon

Dec 22, 1924 - May 5, 2013
Obit posted by: Jo Aguirre

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com

Clifford Ray, Sr., 88, of Norman, Oklahoma, left this earth to be with his Heavenly Father on May 5, 2013.

Clifford was born December 22, 1924 in Union, South Carolina. He joined the military in 1943, proudly serving his country in the Navy during WWII. After his military career, Clifford attended North Carolina A & T State University until he later married and started a family. He worked as a brick mason until joining the police force in the mid 1960’s becoming one of the first African American officers in Union, SC. In 1974 he moved to Norman, OK where he worked at Tinker AFB as an Airplane Parts Inspector and retired from there in 1983. He was an active member with the Masons in South Carolina and he was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 4876 in Altus, OK.

In his younger years Clifford was an all-around athlete who was active in several high school sports including boxing, football and basketball. He loved music and was a former member of the University of Oklahoma New Horizons Band where he played the coronet. Clifford enjoyed fishing, working in his garden, and cooking.

Clifford was a devout Christian who always put the Lord first in his life and made going to church a requirement for his family. He is a member of Everlasting Life Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and enjoyed teaching Sunday school classes. He was a former member of Clinton Chapel Church in Union, SC where he also served as a deacon.

Clifford was preceded in death by his mother, Fannie Ray; his first wife, Josephine Ray; two sisters, Cornelius Ray Peak and Cathleen Ray.

He is survived by his wife, Waleanor Ray; children, Kilpatrick Ray and wife Susan of San Antonio, Texas, Clifford Ray, Jr. of Altamonte Springs, Florida, Sandra Cooper of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Linda Owens of Anchorage, Alaska, Teresa Turner and husband Richard of Norman, Bernice Ray of Norman; stepchildren, Alma Thompson and husband Norris of Greensboro, NC and Christopher Boyd of Greensboro, North Carolina; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; nephew, Robert Charles Ray, as well as many other nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Funeral Services are 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 10, 2013 at Everlasting Life Baptist Church, 925 E. Brooks in Norman with interment following at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Norman.

Visitation will be 3:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2013 and 9:00a.m.-8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2013 with the family greeting friends that evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Arrangements for Clifford and his family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman, Oklahoma. Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.comm