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J. T. Ray, age 87, passed away on January 25, 2026, in Owasso, Oklahoma.
J. T. was born on February 26, 1938, to Vindle D. and Ona Ray in Clarita, Oklahoma. He attended Atoka High School and, at the age of 18, enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his service, he was promoted to Airman Second Class and assigned to the 6th Weather Squadron (Mobile) at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. He was deployed to various locations, including overseas, where he provided specialized weather services in support of special projects.
In 1959, ten months before completing his four years of service, J. T. married his childhood friend, Peggy Jean Strang of Atoka, the little girl he always remembered holding hands with on the way to church.
Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, J. T. and Peggy moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he began his career with the National Weather Service while continuing his education at Little Rock University. Soon after, they welcomed their family with the birth of two sons and a daughter, Vindle, Jon, and Lisa.
In 1965, J. T. transferred with the National Weather Service to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1966, the family settled in Owasso, where they purchased their first home and made their lifelong residence.
After 38 years of federal service, J. T. took early retirement on April 29, 1994. Retirement did not last long, as he soon took a position stocking groceries at night for Walmart. 5 years later, he was offered a contract position with Midwest Weather, Inc. as a weather observer at the Tulsa Airport, where he worked for more than 10 years.
J. T. will be remembered for the love and dedication he showed to his wife and family. In his earlier years, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and family vacations. His later years, he enjoyed gardening and growing flowers, capturing moments with his camera, but above all, he cherished time with his family, playing with his grandchildren and later his great-grandchildren.
J. T. was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Charles, Earl, and Dwayne Ray; his sisters, Marie Ushrey and Ruth Richardson; and his daughter-in-law, Michele Ray.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Ray; his sons, Vindle Ray and wife Shelly, Jon Ray and wife Karie; his daughter, Lisa De La Garza; grandchildren Michael Ray and wife Sharelle, Misty Rhea and husband Joe, Danielle Ray, Meghann Ray and husband Sam Bartlett, Jon Steven Ray II and wife Megan, Tanner Ray and wife Emiley, and Devon Hellman and husband Tyler; as well as great-grandchildren Collyn and Caleb Ray, Adelyn, Tessa, and Kamden Rhea, Jon Steven, III (Jack) and Carter Ann Ray, and Emerson, Elias, Archer, and Birdie Hellman. His brother, Hulen Ray and sister, Linda Trappe.
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