Ray A. Auten

© Durant Daily Democrat

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Services for Ray A. Auten, 76, of Lake Murray Village, were held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home Chapel, Marietta, with Rev. James Wigington officiating. Interment with full military honors followed in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, with the Patriot Guard providing taps. Arrangements are under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home.

Born Sept. 8, 1932, in Gastonia, N.C., the son of Martin T. and Sara Emma Henderson Auten, Mr. Auten passed away Thursday, Dec. 18, in Mercy Memorial Health Center, Ardmore.

A resident of the Carter/Love County area for the past 28 1/2 years, Mr. Auten graduated from Gastonia High School. He and Elva L. Armstrong were married June 6, 1953, in the First Baptist Church of Caddo. Mr. Auten retired in 1980 after serving 28 years in the U.S. Air Force. Highly decorated, he received numerous honors, including the Joint Service Commendation, the Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal with Three Bronze Loops, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with One Battle Service Star, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device.

Mr. Auten was then employed as the personnel manager for Marietta Bakery for 14 1/2 years. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Retired Enlisted Association and the Ardmore Elks Lodge No. 1906. His hobbies included fishing and woodworking, and when he was younger he enjoyed hunting. Mr. Auten was of the Baptist faith.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Ruth Myers.

Survivors include his wife, Elva L. Auten of the home; two sons, Marty A. and wife Janee' Auten of Ardmore and Buddy Auten of Ft. Rucker, Ala.; daughter-in-law Debbie Auten of Lone Grove; brother and sister-in-law Roy K. and Evelyn Auten of Gastonia; four sisters and brother-in-law, Rosy Milliken of Gastonia, Ruby Hanna of Gastonia, Rita Sims of York, S.C., and Roberta and Nelson Simpson of Gastonia; six grandchildren, Samantha Auten of Ardmore, Kristen Auten of Ardmore, Kendall Auten of Ardmore, Nicholas Auten of Lone Grove, R.C. Betancourt of Edmond and Monica McCurtain of Ardmore; and three great-grandchildren, Madison McCurtain, Logan McCurtain and Emma McCurtain.

Serving as bearers were nephews Henry Armstrong, John Armstrong, Eric Armstrong, Larry Mueller, J.P. Wigington and Mike Hajkowski. Honorary bearers were all of Mr. Auten's other nephews and nieces in Oklahoma, Texas and North Carolina.

Everyone is welcome to sign the online guest book at wattsfuneralhome.com

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