RAY LAUGHREY

Ray Laughrey, longtime resident of Ponca City, died Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at Presbyterian Manor Health Care Unit in Arkansas City, Kan. He was 80.
The funeral will be held Saturday, June 12, at 2 p.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Michael Brien, nephew and pastor of Seiling Gospel Lighthouse in Seiling, officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Huff-Minor Post 14.
Ray was born Feb. 11, 1924, in South Haven, Kan., the son of Fred Blaine and Rozena DeSha Laughrey. He grew up on the family farm in South Haven. Ray was inducted into the U.S. Army on Aug. 14, 1943, and served with the 170th Engineer Combat Battalion including tours in Okinawa and the Philippines. He received honorable discharge on Feb. 13, 1946. Following his discharge, Ray began a career with the Santa Fe Railroad as a brakeman. After more than 40 years, he retired as a switchman foreman.
On Aug. 14, 1954, Ray married Maxine Miller in Wichita, Kan. She preceded him in death on May 22, 1974. He later married Virginia Lowrie on March 15, 1991, in Miami, Okla., and she preceded him in death on Jan. 4, 2002.
Ray was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church as well as the Ponca City Genealogy Society and loved researching genealogy. He was also a member of the Ponca City Masonic Lodge, American Legion Huff-Minor Post 14, and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ray enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and collecting ball point pins.
He is survived by one daughter, Diana Brien and her husband Teck of Ponca City; one stepdaughter, Connie Graham and her husband Larry of Arkansas City, Kan.; one stepson, Lynn Wilson of Ponca City; two sisters, Grace Harrison of Tulsa and Veda Hamilton of Wagoner; nine grandchildren, Heather, Holly, Jenna, Nicole, Christy, Misty, Stace, Chad and Les; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends as well as a very special nephew and niece, Larry and Wanda Gould.
In addition to both wives, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon on Dec. 11, 1994; one sister, Lena Drowatzky; and two brothers, Lynn and Earle Laughrey.
Casket bearers will be Earl Frazier, Gary McCain, Dave McClure, Bill Gibson, Ron Hunt and Steve Shea. Honorary bearers will be Kenny Bryer, Gaylard Ross, Dale Beall and Jack Ruff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Ray's memory to Alzheimer's Association, 6465 S. Yale, Suite 318, Tulsa, Okla. 74136.