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Howard Wayne Ray © Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home Submitted by: Sharon
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Howard Wayne Ray
September 8, 1934 - February 16, 2025
Coach Howard Wayne Ray
Services honoring and celebrating the life of Coach Howard Wayne Ray, 90, of Collinsville, Oklahoma, will be Monday, February 24, 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church, Collinsville, with Dr. Tim Prock officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Collinsville. Family will visit with friends at Dolton Funeral Home, 1302 W. Main, Collinsville, OK, Sunday, February 23, from 1:30 P.M.-6:00 P.M.
Howard Wayne Ray was born September 8, 1934, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to William Ray and Fanny Woolford. He passed away peacefully February 16, 2025, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law Karen and David Page, where he had been living for the past two years.
He was a graduate of Empire High School, where sports were also a defining period in his life, as he participated in everything possible. In his youth, Howard enjoyed participating in whatever sport was in season. However, much of his time was spent helping take care of the family farm, including animals, crops, and daily chores that took up a large part of his life. After high school, he continued his education by attending Central State College in Edmond, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Education. He later went on to obtain his Masters Degree at Oklahoma State University. During his time in Edmond, his life was changed forever, when he was swept off his feet by a beautiful young girl Barbara Kyker, who captured his heart. Coach Ray and Barbara married August 17, 1956, and their life adventure began. Barbara was Coach Ray's biggest cheerleader, and at times his most vocal fan. She was known for being feisty, tiny, and intimidating. She and Coach Ray had a few "heated" discussions about her yelling at the refs and calling them by their first names. One referee once gave her a set of beer mugs for not yelling at him for one whole game. To this union, two daughters were born, Karen and Kristi, both of whom carried on his love for all things sports, and also a little bit of that feisty personality.
Coach Ray began his coaching career in Addington, and then Burbank, Oklahoma. Eventually, he made his way to Collinsville, where he coached softball, volleyball, and basketball from 1966 to 1990. Although Collinsville already had girls' basketball, Coach Ray introduced volleyball and softball to the Cardinals. Collinsville would never be the same. Coach Ray and his Cardinals began the State Championship trophy collection. Coach Ray brought the first State Championship title ever in any sport to CHS by winning the Softball state title in 1973. In addition, he also added state runner up trophies, as well as a whopping 10 state tournament appearances in basketball. Coach Ray has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame and was also named "Coach of the Year" more times than one can count, including the Tulsa World and Daily Oklahoman Coach of the Year. In addition to coaching half the population of Collinsville in basketball, softball, and volleyball, he also coached his daughters. Many memories were made on the courts and fields. Fun times were also shared, as Coach Ray and Barbara hosted slumber parties for the girls, where he would cookout for them. He and Barbara also taught them how to jitterbug just before prom, which made for special memories. Many lessons were learned, and much love was shared between Coach Ray and his daughters, as well as his players. He was always fair and never wavered on decisions, whether or not they were popular. He may not have been physically the tallest coach to grace the sidelines of a court or field, but he was a giant in the hearts and minds of those who had the privilege of playing for him. He taught more than just the game of basketball, softball, or volleyball. He modeled how to recover, when life threw you a curve ball. He taught perseverance, even when it would have been easier to give up or take the easy way out. He taught grace and forgiveness through his actions on a daily basis. Most of all, he taught love and commitment not only in words, but also in deeds, as evidenced when he provided a home and raised four of his grandchildren when their mother, his daughter Kristi, passed away. Coach Ray captured every award that could be won by a coach, but all of the awards took second place to the love he shared with his children and grandchildren. Without question, he gave 100% of himself. He loved watching his grandsons coach, and enjoyed his daily trips with his son-in-law David, as they reported to basketball practice every day to assist grandson Brady. Perhaps one of the funniest basketball memories (although not too funny at the moment) was the day he fired daughter Karen from his basketball camp, because she wasn't quite patient enough, while teaching the proper way to make a lay-up. His love for his family, his teams and players, his friends and co-workers knew no boundaries. He was highly regarded and respected by coaches across the state and left an indelible mark on Oklahoma Girls Basketball, as well as every girl and sport that he coached. However, Coach Ray will most likely be remembered for his no-nonsense, humble, and caring approach to not only basketball, but to life in general, and how he could make it better for others. His reward for his life actions and decisions came the day he joined his wife Barbara in heaven. Even though Coach Ray is no longer here, his presence will always be felt on the sidelines of courts, fields, and hallways at Collinsville High School.
Coach Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, daughter Kristi Lee Fulton, brother Bobby Ray, as well as sister Patricia Philpot.
He is survived by daughter Karen Page and husband David of Stillwater, OK, and one sister Tessie Savage of Countyline,OK. In addition, he is also survived by his six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Grandchildren: Brady Page and wife Lindsey, of Kingfisher. Keiton Page and wife Jordan, of Stillwater. Brandon Fulton and wife Mandy of Collinsville. Cody Fulton, Cheyenne Fulton, and Chelsea Fulton of Collinsville.
Great grandchildren: Pressley and Paycen Page of Kingfisher. Blakely, Kamden, and Kollyns Page of Stillwater. Ethan, Kade, and Koen Fulton of Collinsville, Kristi Fulton of Broken Arrow. Also, Kota, Kegan, Kinley, and Kealton Fulton. Great-great grandchild: Everleigh Fulton.
He is also survived by everyone who ever played for him, because he considered them a part of his life and family.
Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home, (918) 371-2111, collinsvillefh.com.
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