Raymond "Ray" Wheatley

     Raymond Henry Wheatley returned home to his Creator on May 7, 2026 in Tulsa, OK. Raymond to his family, but Ray to his friends, he was born in Pawnee, OK on March 12, 1949 to Henry and Lorene Wheatley. As a young boy, Raymond was known for his quick wit and penchant for mischief–two things he carried with him all of his life. He attended Masham School, a one-room schoolhouse, until 6th grade when he began attending Pawnee Schools, where he would graduate with the Class of 1967. After graduation, Ray attended Oklahoma State University where he majored in Psychology. Upon his graduation from OSU, Ray enrolled at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY where he graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1975.

     Ray spent several years in Baptist campus ministry after his graduation from Southern. It was at a singles’ retreat during this time that he met his future wife, Sarah Beasley. Despite a less than favorable first impression, Ray eventually won Sarah over, and the couple married on May 20, 1978. They settled into married life in Okmulgee, OK where Ray was the director of the Baptist Student Union at OSU-Okmulgee. While in Okmulgee, Ray and Sarah became parents to a baby girl, Stephanie Renee, on June 8, 1982. Stephanie captured her father’s heart early, wrapping him around her little finger almost immediately and continuing be the apple of his eye until his death.

     Beginning in the mid-1980s, Ray discovered a talent for economic development. Marrying his easy going personality and ability to get along with a variety of people with an analytical mind, Ray excelled at helping communities attract new business opportunities to improve the lives of their citizens. Under the tutelage of Roy Ehly at the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce, Ray earned an MBA from OSU in 1988. The “Roy and Ray Act,” as they were dubbed by their wives, were a combination of sage wisdom and youthful ambition that would be reunited when Ray accepted a job in Guymon, OK in 1992 where the family would stay until 2000 when Ray and Sarah relocated to Stillwater.

     A permanent home in Stillwater was a dream come true for Ray as he was able to fully dive into a variety of OSU Athletic events, enjoying season tickets for football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and soccer. Ray enjoyed talking about OSU sports with a like-minded group of ornery old men, teaching the senior citizens’ Sunday School class at First Baptist Church – Stillwater, and causing trouble at the back table at Stillwater Frontier Rotary.

    In his later years, Ray experienced several major health problems, including the amputation of his right leg. However, everyone who knew Ray was inspired by his grit and determination to overcome every obstacle placed in his path. He prided himself in his independence and self-sufficiency in the aftermath of his amputation.

     Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lorene Wheatley, and his sister, Martha (Wheatley) Stanfield. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, of the home and daughter, Stephanie, of Guymon, OK, as well as many other family members who are heartbroken because of his death.

      Ray understood the value of education. As first generation college students, both Ray and Sarah knew firsthand how life-changing a college degree could be. Through their generosity, they established the Wheatley Family Endowed Scholarship, specifically designed for first-generation college students with a preference given to students from Texas County, where Stephanie is a teacher at Guymon High School. The family was delighted to learn that one of Stephanie’s students was a recipient of the scholarship last year. He credited “Dr. Wheatley” for getting him interested in OSU in the first place.

     Contributions may be made in support of the Wheatley Family Endowed Scholarship fund (20-88460) at the OSU Foundation. Checks should be made payable to the OSU Foundation and mailed to PO Box 1749 – Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 or gifts can be made online at osugiving.com. Please note your donation is in memory of Ray Wheatley. Gifts can also be made online at: https://secure.osugiving.com/s/giving/annual?dsgt=20-88460.

    Services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church in Stillwater, OK under the direction of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home with a reception to follow. All who wish to come and remember Ray are encouraged to wear orange or OSU attire to celebrate his love for his alma mater. Ray will be laid to rest with his parents, grandparents, and many other family members at the Masham Cemetery in Pawnee County, OK.