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Ray Deen Schwab was born Wednesday, July 7, 1937, on his grandfather Schwab’s farm near Owasso, Oklahoma, and grew up on his dad’s small dairy and grain farm nearby until the age of eighteen. Those years of living on the landscape of the country near nature deepened his appreciation for the beauty and wonders of nature with all of its animals, birds and various other living creatures as given unto us by our Heavenly Father, who is so gracious, caring and loving to all. He showers us with His blessings every day, if only our hearts and lives are prepared and willing to accept them. Around the age of twenty, after graduation from high school and upon completion of his studies at Draughon’s Business School, Ray left his life in the country for a city career in the professional business world where he worked for years in the insurance profession as an accounting clerk, accounting manager, Treasurer to Assistant Vice-President and just before retirement in July of 2003, he worked for the Broken Arrow Public School System approximately five years. Ray also served a brief six years in the United States Air Force National Guard at the rank of staff sergeant. During the Berlin Crisis he served on active duty for ten months. Ray always stayed true to his love of God, family and the natural beauty and wonders of nature. Ray lived a very blessed life with so many wonderful friends and was most appreciative and thankful for his loving wife, Lou, and the blessings of their children and grandchildren, as well as his loving parents and family…they all were, in his mind, truly his greatest blessings like none other from his Heavenly Father; EXCEPTING FOR HIS EVERLASTING LIFE! Ray has now gone home to be with his Heavenly Father. Ray was preceded in death by a daughter, Shelba Annette ‘Shelley’ in 1961 at the tender age of fourteen months due to an automobile accident, his little brother, Vernon Leon, in 1940 in a house fire, his mother, Edna, in 1980 due to a heart attack, his father, Lowell Vernon, in 1999 due to kidney failure, and his little sister, Carolyn Sue, in 2001 due to a heart attack, and her two infant sons. Ray was his paternal and maternal grandparents’ oldest grandchild, who have all passed away along with all of his aunts and uncles on both sides of the family as well, and a host of cousins on both sides of the family. Ray’s father-in-law and mother-in-law passed away in 1997 and 2008. Surviving Ray is his wife, Lou Emily, who he has been married to since June 17, 1958. His oldest son, Steven Ray “Steve” and his wife, Karen Renee’ and their two sons. Conner Matthew and wife, Rachel Lynn and Ryan Andrew. Kenneth Deen “Kenny” and his wife, Sherri Ann and their three children, Kaleb Jordan, Kelsie Nicole and Korbin Michael. His daughter, Kristi Lou and her husband Tony and their five sons, Justin Anthony, and wife, Sarah Nicole, Tyler Austin, Tanner Aaron, Dylan Christopher, and fiancee Isabella Hope, and Evan Hunter; and two great-grandkids, Elias Kaede and Samuel Koa. Watch Ray's service here: https://vimeo.com/1036943402

Tributes

Ray Schwab

July 7, 1937 - December 6, 2024