|
| |
Woodward, Okla. — Doyle W. Bray, Nov. 14, 1927 – Sept. 12, 2013. Doyle was born in Leedey, Oklahoma and resided there his entire 85 years. He was the second son of Clifford and Lula Patton Bray. Doyle attended grade school west of Leedey at the Canadian School and then transferred to Leedey High School where he graduated in 1944. Following in his father’s footsteps he began farming at the tender age of 16. Starting out on a “shoe-string”, he created a homestead for his bride, Oleta Stoddard, in 1947.
Times were good until the draught of the 50’s. By then Doyle and Oleta had three beautiful daughters, and were raising wheat, cotton, cattle, pigs, chickens, and everything they could to survive. He drove a “Gold Spot” milk truck for several years to help make ends meet. In l957 he went to work at Production Credit Association as an inspector and quickly moved up to Vice President, then held the position of President for 25 years at the Clinton, Ok office, where he retired. Doyle continued to farm and ranch in his retirement years, but his passion turned to traveling with Oleta in their fifth wheel. They headed out to favorite places, Red River, Ruidoso, Phoenix, Missouri, andColorado.
Family was always Doyle’s strength and his Christian leadership was appreciated by everyone who knew him. He served as a Deacon and Superintendent at the RheaBaptist Church for 30 years, and then moved his membership to the Leedey Baptist Church. He served on the Leedey School board for 10 years and was a member of both the Elks and Moose Lodges in Elk City, OK. He enjoyed building things and restoring old windmills, tractors, fences and corrals, and even built a small Cabin which is still used down by the lake. His happiest moments were spending time with family (especially his grandsons) and friends – visiting and playing either dominos or cards or going to ballgames. Doyle is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Oleta M. Stoddard Bray; his daughters, Linda D Laster & husband Frank D. Laster of Leedey, OK, Sue Clark and husband Butch Clark of Durango, CO, and Connie Jo Smith and husband Lowry Smith of Leedey; sister Jeanne Craig and husband Joe of Leedey; sister-in-law Jackie Bray of Edmond; five grandsons, Chris Larson and wife Andrea of Edmond, OK, Chad Hall of Kansas City, MO, Brad Dean and wife Jenny of Edmond, OK, Cory Hall of Weatherford, OK, and Bryan Dean and Fiancé Jessica Neuman of Oklahoma City, OK; three step-grandsons, Randy Smith of Oklahoma City, OK, Brady Smith and wife Chelsea of Oklahoma City, OK, and Donny Smith of Leedey, OK; seven great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and a host of friends. Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Lula Bray and a brother, Mel Bray.
Pastor Don Ross will officiate a Funeral Service Monday, September 16, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at the Leedey Baptist Church with burial following at Center Point Cemetery on Hwy. 47. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Doyle’s name to the Leedey Education Foundation.
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.