Robert Frederick Ray

© Enid News and Eagle

02-16-2022

Submitted by: Glenn

© Enid News and Eagle

March 22, 1935 - February 12, 2022

Robert Frederick Ray, age 86, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2022, in Edmond, Oklahoma, surrounded by loving family. Visitation will be from 10:00am-8:00pm with family present from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Friday, February 18, 2022, at Smith and Kernke North May. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Smith and Kernke North May Chapel. Graveside services will be held at the Renfrow Czecho-Slovak Cemetery at 3:00pm in Renfrow, Oklahoma. Chaplin Davies Vanpool, 45th Artillery Brigade Chaplin, will be officiating.

Robert was born on March 22, 1935, to Charles Eldridge and Alta Francis Ray. Bob attended grade school and junior high in Oklahoma City and graduated from Northeast High School in 1952. Upon graduation, he commuted to Central State University studying physics while working for his father at Ray and Sons Church Furniture Manufacturing Company in OKC. In 1957, Robert joined the Oklahoma Army Guard attending basic training in Fort Jackson, SC.

In 1960, he met Etta Janet Skrdla from Medford, Oklahoma, while working in Enid as a service technician for IBM. They were soon married and moved to Oklahoma City. He advanced his career working as an architectural draftsman and a later as a construction manager. In 1974, they moved their family back to Enid, OK, where Robert became a licensed architect in 1982. He went on to work at Vance Air Force Base in Civil Engineering for 11 years. After a brief retirement, he was asked to return to Vance AFB where he worked for Booze Allen Hamilton on the Vance AFB Housing Privatization Project. Locally, Robert was a Master Mason at Coronado Lodge 56, Hennessy, Oklahoma, and a 32nd degree Mason in the Scottish Rite Consistory, Guthrie, Oklahoma.

For 39 years of his adult working life, he was a proud soldier with the Oklahoma Army Guard. He served a variety of duty positions culminating his career as Command Sergeant Major of the 45th Artillery Brigade, headquartered, at that time, in Enid. He and Etta were honored to attend the retirement celebration of Dennis Reimer, General, US Army in Washington DC. CSM Ray was a member of The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and recipient of the Legion of Merit.

In 2017, Robert and Etta moved to Edmond, OK where they currently reside.

Robert is survived by his wife of 60 years, Etta Janet (Skrdla), brother Charles Ray of Wellston, OK, sister Kay Ray of Norwich, Connecticut, son David Ray and daughter-in-law Jill of Edmond, daughter Paula Swaim and son-in-law Greg of Stillwater, and daughter Diane Johnson and son-in-law Jim of Edmond. Robert had 10 grandchildren, Sean and wife Ciara, Seth, Grayson, Savannah and husband Sam, Colton, Ryan, Mckennah, Jacob, Rob, and Cale. In addition, he was blessed with four great-grandchildren, Lucas, Liam, and twins Logan and Landry.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lois Kope and her husband Don of Merced, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to Smith Kernke Funeral Home for restoration of the Renfrow Czecho-Slovak Cemetery in Renfrow, OK or to the charity of your choice.

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