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Lonnie Maurice Bray Sr. © Trout Funeral Home & Crematory 08-2020 Submitted by: Glenn
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October 2, 1930 - August 1, 2020
On Saturday August 1, 2020, Lonnie Maurice Bray Sr, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away at the age of 89. Lonnie had a long battle with heart disease, but lived life to the fullest, loving the Lord, his family, his friends, and his country every step of the way.
Lonnie was born on October 2, 1930 in Konawa, Oklahoma to Lonnie and Agness Bray, the first of six children. Lonnie graduated from Tonkawa in 1948 and attended Northern Oklahoma College. He began his military career by joining the Oklahoma National Guard in 1946, just shy of his 16th birthday. In 1951 Bray was mobilized within the 45th Division and served in both Japan and Korea. Bray worked his way through the ranks to earn the distinguished rank of Colonel, and retired after serving 38 years in the Oklahoma National Guard with The United States of America Meritorious Service Medal, The Department of the Army’s Army Commendation Medal, The United States Field Artillery Association’s Ancient Order of Saint Barbara Shield, and many other service awards and medals.
Bray continued his service-based life after retirement and became the President of the National Guard Association of Oklahoma in 1985. He also worked as the Tonkawa City Manager for 2 years, and managed a farm located west of town, while serving in the military. Lonnie was also very dedicated to his church, the First Presbyterian Church of Tonkawa, serving in multiple capacities and offering his wood-working skills that will be an ever-lasting gift for the church members.
Lonnie’s dedication to his family began with his marriage to Sally Blubaugh in 1951. During their 57 years of marriage they had 3 sons, John Mike Bray, James Mark Bray, and Lonnie Maurice Bray, Jr and one special daughter Mary Susan Green. After the passing of Sally, Lonnie met and later married Yolla Steers in 2010, and they enjoyed spending time with friends and their family, which included a combined 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Lonnie has a passion for service and community, and also loved to play golf with dear friends and family, find a creative way to fix just about anything, and was a masterful wood-worker. If you knew Lonnie, you have probably been privileged and blessed to have seen something he has built by hand.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Agness Bray, his wife Sally, his two sons, John Mike Bray and James Mark Bray, and his son-in-law George Green. He is survived by his wife Yolla, daughter Mary Susan Green and her 2 children and 6 grandchildren; his son Lonnie Bray, Jr and his wife Wendy and their 3 children; Mike’s 2 children and 5 grandchildren; Mark’s 3 children and 7 grandchildren; and his 5 siblings: Larry (and D.D.) Bray, Kenny & Mary Lou Bray, Gary (and Paula) Bray, Lee & Lyndia Bray Bixler, Glenn & Tonya Bray, and the honorary Williams brothers; and all of their amazing families.
Due to the unfortunate circumstances of Covid and wanting to keep everyone safe, a private Graveside service will held for family on Friday, August 21, 2020, and a Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at a later date (TBA). Those wishing to, may view the graveside virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com. Click on the “livestream” or tool bar icon on the top right corner after 1:45 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Agness M. Bray Memorial Scholarship at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa. You may mail a donation to Northern Oklahoma Foundation, PO Box 310, Tonkawa, OK 74653.
To donate online go to http://northok.publishpath.com/donation-form, then under “Donate to NOC Tonkawa:” choose the Agness M. Bray Memorial.
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