Published: October 01, 2009 01:16 pm      

James Ray Ward

James Ray Ward of Pauls Valley, Okla., was born to Willis Newman and Faye O. (Owensby) Ward on June 22, 1934, in Pauls Valley, and passed from this life on Sept. 29, 2009, in Pauls Valley at the age of 75 years.

Ray grew up in Pauls Valley and graduated from Pauls Valley High School in 1952. He then graduated Gradwolh School of Laboratory Technology in St. Louis, Mo.

On Nov. 29, 1953, Ray married his high school sweetheart, Reba Jo Chaufty in Pauls Valley. After they married, Ray became the hospital administrator at Wilburton, Okla.

He and Reba returned to Pauls Valley where he became the manager and lab tech of the Medical Center.

Ray later became the executive manager of the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce for 11 years.

He was a member of the First Christian Church where he served as an elder, chairman of the board and excellent tenor in the choir. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, traveling, collecting arrowheads, coaching Little League baseball and Blue Jay football.

Ray will be remembered for his love of his family, church and the city of Pauls Valley.

Mr. Ward is survived by his wife: Reba Jo Ward of the home; son: Dr. J. Ward and his wife Tammy of Pauls Valley; two daughters: Nikki Assad and her husband David of Pauls Valley, and Lisa Pratt and her husband Bill of Pauls Valley; 16 grandchildren: JC Johnson and his wife Kelly, Ian Clayton Johnson, Tara Ward, Spencer Ward, Nic Field, Jesse Cowan and his wife Gena, Rabi Assad and his wife Wendy, Caesare Assad, Julie Miller, Holly Pratt, Ryan Pratt and his wife Monika, and Lil Nikki; and eight great-grandchildren: Kylie Ward, Ryan Johnson, Garrett, Jackson and Chloe Cowan, Aja and Neiko Assad, and Garrett Pratt.

Mr. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, Newman and Faye Ward; grandson, Tyler Ward; and granddaughter, Allison Pratt.

A memorial service for Mr. Ward is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 at 2 p.m. in the Wooster Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robin Spurling officiating. Services are under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home.

The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, 6525 N. Meridian Suite 110, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 or online at www.cancer.org. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com.