Funeral service for Jackie Earl Ray age 83, of Chattanooga, Oklahoma will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2022, at the Peace Congregational Church with Rev. Jim Roberts officiating.  Burial with full military honors will follow in the Chattanooga Cemetery under the direction of Jackson Funeral Home of Frederick.  Mr. Ray passed away Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Jackie Earl Ray was born March 12, 1939, in Marmaduke, Arkansas to Marlin Berry and Ora Allie (Nations) Ray.  He attended Marmaduke Public Schools, graduating from Marmaduke High School with the Class of 1958.  Jackie entered the United States Army right out of high school.  He served in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War as a pilot.  Jackie received numerous accommodations which include the following: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal Third Award, Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with Four Service Stars, Air Medal Twelfth Award, Bronze Star Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with P Device Unit, Two Overseas Service Bar, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Legion of Merit.  He retired on December 31, 1978, from the United States Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3, after 20 years of service. On December 23, 1985, he and Eleanor Beth Strecker were united in marriage in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Jackie always affectionately called Eleanor, his "Dumpling".  After retiring from the military, he worked as a Test Pilot for the United States Government and later served as a corporate pilot for numerous individuals in Southwest Oklahoma.

As Jackie grew up, he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marmaduke, Arkansas.  Eleanor and he later attended the Peace Congregational Church and the Community Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga.  He was an avid golfer, where he built him a nine-hole golf course on the farm.  He enjoyed gardening, reading his Bible, and loved traveling on military aircrafts.  Jackie was a true gentleman; his loyalty was to his God, Country, and the American Flag.  Every day Jackie would raise the flag in the morning and lower it in the evening.  A true patriot!

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Eleanor Beth Ray of the home; one son, Randall Barry "Randy" Ray; one daughter, Kelly Lynn Gentle; two sisters, Nelda Jean Vojtanic and her husband John, and Marlene Hope Brengard and her husband Ronnie; one sister-in-law Lena Ray; one granddaughter, Lainey Wood and her husband Nathan; one great-granddaughter, Faith Landry Wood, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marlin B. and Ora Allie Ray; one brother, W.H. "Dub" Ray; one sister, Gloria Dean Gray and her husband Gene, and four nephews, Shane Ray, Jerry Dortch, Phillip Dortch, and Jimmy Jenkins.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Tipton Children's Home in memory of Jackie Earl Ray.