Charles Ray McWhorter was born April 25, 1934 in Jones, Oklahoma to Paul Timothy and Ruby Ruth (Baze) McWhorter. He left this earthly life on Sunday morning, October 18, 2020 in Shawnee at the age of 86.
The oldest of 5 brothers, Ray attended Sunflower and Wellston Schools, where he graduated in 1952, excelling in both basketball and baseball. On June 18, 1955 he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Pool, in Chandler, Oklahoma. They made their home in Warwick, raising their son and daughter, Mike and Cathy.
Throughout his life, Ray enjoyed fishing, coaching Little League Baseball, watching baseball, and gunsmithing. He and Shirley were always present at any sports or music event where their children and grandchildren were involved. He enjoyed traveling to the Ozark Folk Festival year after year. He attended Trinity Baptist Church in Wellston.
Ray was a faithful employee of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority where he retired in 1989 after 34 years of service as a Maintenance Supervisor.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Bob, Richard, Larry and Leslie, and one grandson Tyler McWhorter.
He is survived by Shirley, his wife of 65 years, of Warwick; son Mike McWhorter and wife, Kim, of Chandler; daughter Cathy Stingley and husband Keith of Wellston; grandchildren Brett McWhorter of Chandler; Erin and Rusty Hall of Choctaw; Lauren and Ben Bickford of Bixby; and Megan and Josh Kardatzke of Midwest City; 7 great-grandchildren, Cannon, Hudson, Jayden and Leighton Hall; Luke and Briar Bickford, June Kardatzke; and sister-in-law, Cecelia McWhorter of Oklahoma City.
A graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at the Star Valley Cemetery in Chandler under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston with the Rev. Lane Buckley officiating.