Ray Gazaway, 66, of Perkins passed peacefully from this life on January 16, 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his loving family by his side.

Raymond Claud Gazaway was born on March 29, 1948 in Clinton, Oklahoma to Claud Raymond and Esther Radke Gazaway.

A few short years after Ray’s birth his mother passed away. Ray’s father was remarried to Annabel Breeden in 1953 and Ray considered her to be his mother.

He spent the majority of his childhood in Tryon, Oklahoma, graduating from Tryon High School in 1966.

Ray spent the next few years working for his father doing painting and general construction work.

In 1971 Ray joined the U.S. Army National Guard and attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. During his 12 years of service, Ray worked as both a truck driver and guard. During this time he also moved to Oklahoma City and opened his own painting company. He continued to operate the company until his health began to decline and in 1988, he relocated to Stillwater where he met and married the love of his life, Cathy Davis in 1989. Ray continued to do small painting jobs for friends and family until his health forced him into early retirement in 1990.

Ray spent his free time fishing, wood working, fixing just about anything anyone could break, and restoring his grandpa’s century old wagon, which he loved to ride in Perkins Old Settlers Day Parade.

He was a wonderful husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and supporting them at their various athletic or scholastic events.

He was an easy going, stubborn, and fun loving guy who lived life to the fullest and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Ray was preceded in death by his dad, Claud Gazaway, his mother, Esther Radke Gazaway, and his mom, Annabel Breeden Gazaway.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cathy of the home; five children, Raymond Clint Gazaway, Amy Lynne Coomer and husband Michael of Ripley, Christopher Dale Davis of Perry, Christopher Scott Gazaway and and Jessica Michelle Moye and husband Bryan of Texarkana, Arkansas, a sister, Martha Huckabay and husband Aaron of Stillwater; nieces, Rachel and Laura Huckabay of Stillwater. ( grandchildren: Michael Austin Coomer and Ashley Coomer of Ripley, Caleb Davis of Perry, Kaitlyn Davis, Casey Davis , and Kaidyn Davis of Tulsa, Eugene Gordon, Heaven Moye and Lillian Moye of Texarkana, Arkansas. He is also survived by various other family members and friends.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and the Gazaway family will hold a memorial celebration of Ray's life on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Perkins Senior Center.