Ray Fredrick Owens was born on June 6, 1923 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to George & Ruth (Duncan) Owens. He passed from this life on July 7, 2008 at his home in Bixby, Oklahoma at the age of 85 years, 1 month & 1 day. Ray never met a stranger and loved to make new friends. He married his loving and devoted wife Mirriam Willodean "Billie" (Carroll) Owens on January 24, 1943 in Oklahoma City. Together they shared over 65 wonderful years of marriage. Ray was a graduate of Capital Hill High School and attended Oklahoma City University for two years. Ray served his country in WWII as a member of the Army Air Corps and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. His working years were spent at Tinker Air Force base where he was a Job Analyst in Classification, although if you asked him, he would just tell you that he ran the place. He was an elected officer on the Tinker Federal Credit Union for 18 years.

Ray and Billie were blessed with two wonderful children. Ray loved to watch Janet and Dan compete in various horse shows and other events. He jokingly called himself their stable hand. He will long be remembered for his love of playing golf, fishing, traveling, going to the lake and his love of life in general, but his greatest love was his family. Ray organized and started the Elks Senior Men's Golf Association in Shawnee. He served as President of the Del City Round-Up Club and the Kerr Junior High Band Parents Club, he was active in the Del City High School Quarterback Club, worked with the Boy Scouts, and was a former member of the Shawnee Elks Lodge. Ray loved the Lord and taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at the First Southern Baptist Church Del City for many years.

He and Billie moved to Bixby about five years ago and joined New Beginnings Baptist Church where they made a host of new friends. He was proud to hold the prestigious title of oldest member of the church. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, Billie, 1 daughter; Janet Mallow and her husband Ron, of Bixby, 1 son; Dan Owens and his wife Mary, of Oklahoma City, 4 grandchildren, Christopher Mallow and his wife Heidi, of Westminster, Colorado, Misty Mallow, of Tulsa, Jed Owens and Haley, of Oklahoma City, and Melissa Owens of Oklahoma City, 4 great-grandchildren, Katherine Mallow, Connor Mallow, Donovan Webster, and Owen Mallow, all of Westminster, Colorado. Ray was also expecting his fifth gr-grandchild later this year. He was also survived by one niece, Connie Looney and her husband Jim, of Plano, Texas, and one nephew, Jack Owens and his wife Connie, of Ames, Iowa as well as other relatives & friends. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, and 1 brother, Rev. Jack Owens. Casket bearers include Christopher Mallow, Jed Owens, Robert O'Dor, Bob Carroll, Larry Suttle, and John Kelley. Honorary Casket Bearers include Jim Looney and Kenny Stilwell. Music is provided by Ron Mallow, Chris Mallow, Jeb Owens, John Lee, Pam Birch, John Kannady, Weldon Ratliffe, & Cindy Foster. Online tributes and condolences may be left for the family at www.leonardmarkerfunerals.com. Services by Leonard & Marker Funeral Home of Bixby, Oklahoma.