Thomas Edward Ray

Thomas Edward Ray, 80, of Wichita, KS. passed away peacefully with his family by his side, Thursday, July 7, 2011, following complications from heart surgery at Galichia Heart Hospital. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from 6-8 pm at Downing and Lahey Mortuary, 6555 E. Central, Wichita, KS. 67206. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 10:00 am. at Downing and Lahey Mortuary, with burial to follow at 2:00 p.m. in Blackwell, OK. at the Blackwell Cemetery. Born May 11, 1931 in Ponca City, OK., to Glenn and Margarett Ray, Tom moved at a young age to Blackwell, OK where he grew up. Tom was a member of the Oklahoma National Guard and served his country in the Korean War as a forward observer from 1950-1952. Upon returning home from Korea, he met and married Erlene Morey in 1953, and earned his degree in Geology from Oklahoma AM in 1956. He spent his 43 yr. career working in the oil and gas industry with Continental Oil Co., which included living 9 years on the Louisiana gulf coast, and Lario Oil and Gas in Wichita until his retirement in 1999.After retirement, Tom enjoyed golfing, listening to soft jazz, driving his boat on Lake of the Ozarks, and spending time with family. He also coached football for a time, at Highland Community College. He is preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Margarett and his brother, Michael Ray. Survivors include daughter, Jennifer McLean (Steve), Lake Oswego, OR; daughter, Andrea Moore, Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Brittany and Keaton McLean, Lake Oswego, OR and Taylor Moore, Wichita, KS; sister, Sue Ray Dutton, Wichita, KS and brother, Robert Ray, Alpharetta, GA. A memorial has been established with the American Heart Association. Visitation Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Downing and Lahey East