Graveside services for Joe Don Ray, 83 of Roff, will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 1st at Lightning Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Ray died Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at a Madill medical facility. He was born February 4, 1937 in Ada, Oklahoma to Dan C. and Ina Hudson Ray.
Mr. Ray married Mary L. Scott on August 31, 1953 and had four children.
J.D. is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home; two sons, Danny Ray and wife Hallie of Ada and Anthony Earl “Scooter” Ray and wife Karen of Ravia; two daughters Sharon Thompson and husband Waylen of Cumberland Cove; Theresa Ray and husband Lonnie of Roff. One sister, June Huddleston and husband Don of Madill; and one brother, Jimmy Dan Ray and wife Marilyn of Roff; twelve grandchildren, Craig Ray, April Turner, Tammy Taylor, Josh Alexander, Bambi Davis, Cam Ray, Cody Ray, Jennifer Andrews and Derrick Ray.
Mr. Ray commercial fished on Lake Texoma and Lake Eufaula in the 1960’s and 1970’s until the lakes were closed to commercial fishing.
In 1973 he moved his family back to Roff where he had been reared and began raising registered Chester White hogs. J. D. won many championships across the nation with his stock. He was instrumental in promoting genetics with more meat and less fat in the pork industry.
He competed at The National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota, San Antonio Livestock Show, Houston Livestock Show, Ft. Worth Livestock Show, and the Denver Livestock Show as well as many other shows. Even though his specialty was to perfect and promote breeding stock, he was no slouch in fitting a champion barrow. He bred and raised the grand champion barrow at the Denver Livestock Show in 1983.
In 1974, Mr. Ray set a new world record with his Chester White boar “Timber” at the National Barrow Show Sale. Timber sold for $9,700. to Mr. Hank Fretter of Missouri. J. D. held that record for 5 years. This accomplishment of course was the highlight of his career even though it would take pages to list everything that he won with his Chester’s.
In the “hog industry” he was nicknamed “Cowboy” by Mr. Butch Young, Auctioneer because he always wore a cowboy hat.
After Mr. Ray retired from the hog business, he raised emu’s and ostrich’s a short time. Following that he raised Quarter horses, specializing in Red and Blue Roan’s and Paints. J. D. truly enjoyed all types of livestock.
He was also an avid hunter, harvesting many trophy white tail and mule deer, in addition to moose, caribou, bear, and mountain goat.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, only 10 people may gather at the graveside, per the Governor’s Order.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
