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Donald G. Raley, 93, of Ramona, died Thursday in Bartlesville.
Donald, or "Don" as he was known, was born the son of Oscar and Hazel (Stevenson) Raley on March 6, 1925, in Claremore, OK. He grew up on a farm east of Ramona where he spent most of his time down by the river and in the woods with his younger brother Raymond and their best friends. While a a senior a at Ramona High School Don was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served proudly in the mountains of Italy, returning home with both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Once home he met the love of his life Lucille Seabolt while she was playing basketball. Don offered her a ride home and thus started a 68-year love affair. They were united in marriage on March 4, 1950, and made their home in Dewey. Later Don attended Spartan School of Aeronautics and joined United Airlines, working twice in Chicago and other places before returning to Ramona where they built a home. Don joined the U.S. Postal Service and carried mail for 23 years before accepting the job as postmaster in Barnsdall, then Fairfax, before retiring with 29 years of faithful service in 1988. Once retired, Don and Lucille spent the next 10 years as gatekeepers for the Army Corps of Engineers.
Don and Lucille loved to do things together and travelling was their passion. They undertook multiple cruises including the rivers of Europe, trips to Mexico and one very memorable trip to Belgium to visit the grave of Don's younger brother Raymond who was killed during WWII. Don was known for his volunteerism and he did it well. He was the Ramona American Legion Post 334 Commander, State Commander, served on the War Veterans Commission and over the years organized many veterans' parades and the military honors provided to countless veterans at the time of their deaths. They were active in the Home Extension clubs and he served as County President as well as the Mayor of Ramona for several years. Most of all he loved Lucille who, as he would proudly tell anyone, was the Love of his life.
Don is survived by his loving wife Lucille of the home; two children, Donna Heltzel of Longmont, CO, and Raymond Raley and Faviola of Ramona; three grandchildren Jason Raley, Jennifer Randall and Christine Haskell; and six great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Cecil, Bub, Scott, Robert and Raymond; and one sister Madelyn Hines.
Services will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, at the First Baptist Church of Ochelata. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel.
Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.
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