In Loving Memory Of

Ray L. Rhodes

Ray L. Rhodes, of Pauls Valley was born July 11, 1929 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to Charlie Rhodes and Nettie.

He passed away May 27, 2006 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 76 years.

Ray L. Rhodes and Doris Owens were married at Pauls Valley, Oklahoma on April 6, 1949.

On March 6, 1952 at Oklahoma City, Ray began his tour of duty with the United States Marine Corp. He earned the rank of Corporal and was a veteran of the Korean War.

While serving in the Marines, from an article written at the time in the Pauls Valley Democrat, he and another Pauls Valley Marine were eye witnesses to the experimental atomic explosions in the Nevada desert as "close as any human beings have lived and told their story". They were members of those "Ground Forces" stationed as close as two miles to the center of the mushrooms and were stationed at the desert proving grounds with two different Marine battalions. "The 2,000 Marines were flown from the east and west coast for the latest series of atomic tests. The Marines witnessed "an atomic explosion and then joined in a mock ground-air assault on an objective near the center of the impact area". They received training in assult tactics relating to atomic warfare under simulated atomic conditions "including the recently developed art of vertical envelopment by helicopter. Training in physical protection measures and indoctrination in the effects on equipment of atomic explosions were important phases of the exercises."

Ray received his discharge March 5, 1954 at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.

He was a Rancher, and as well, Owned and Operated the Pauls Valley Livestock Auction until 1987 and continued to Ranch until he retired in 1993. Pauls Valley has been his home all of his life.

'Uncle Ray', as he was affectionately known to many people, was a kind and giving man who became a surrogate dad to several young people throughout his years. He loved and cared for them as his own and he took as much pride in their accomplishments as they did in sharing their lives with him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers and 4 sisters.

Surviving family include his wife of 57 years, Doris Rhodes, of the home; 1 brother, Billy Rhodes of Wynnewood; 2 sisters, Geneva Bare of Coos Bay, Oregon and Vivian Crawford of Pauls Valley; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent in Ray L. Rhodes name to the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute, Integris Baptist Medical Center at 3030 N. W. Expressway in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73112; or on-line at www.integris-health.com/INTEGRIS/en-US/CharitableGiving/.

Graveside funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 10:00 am at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery officiated by Dr. Joe Elam. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home.