Ray M. League

Ray M. League

Nov. 11. 1925 - March 20, 2013

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma -- Ray M. League, 87, died suddenly on March 20, 2013.

He was born Nov. 11, 1925, on a farm near Haigler, Nebraska, to Ray E. League and Anna Sophia Hawkinson League. Ray was one of 13 brothers and sisters.

After finishing high school, Ray served in the U.S. Army, 65th Infantry Division in the European theater. Upon his return to the States, Ray married Norma Lou Hergert of Pond Creek on June 26, 1946.

Ray enrolled in the Enid Business College, completing a degree in accounting and bookkeeping. Shortly thereafter he began his career at Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville. While at Phillips, Ray worked in many different departments and places. He and Norma spent three years in London while the Norwegian Oil Fields were opened.

After his retirement from Phillips, Ray worked with the Totah Telephone Company in Ochelata, Oklahoma. There he was instrumental in putting together ventures into the cellular phone market. Ray always enjoyed a business challenge, and he recognized opportunities in this very new business.

Ray was a CPA and a long time member of the AICPA and the Oklahoma Society of CPAS. In 2006 he was recognized by the Oklahoma Society for his contributions to his profession.

Ray loved his family, and was a devoted husband to Norma, besides being a favorite uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Norma Lou Hergert and five brothers, Vearl, Everett (Bud) , Warren (Mike), Howard and Richard League.

He is survived by five brothers, a twin brother, Roy League of Stratton, Nebraska, Robert (Bob) League of Porterville, California, Evan League of Thornton, Colorado, Kenneth League of Spicewood, Texas; and Marion (Buck) League of Whittier, California. He is also survived by two sisters, Eileen Freed of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Delores Campbell of Longmont Colorado; and numerous nephews and nieces and several cousins.

Ray loved the Lord, and was a member of Crossings Community Church. He expressed so many times how the Lord blessed him with family and opportunities. Ray was a kind, gentle, generous man and his family will miss him greatly.

A service to celebrate his life was conducted at the Epworth Villa Chapel at 2 p.m. on Wednesday March 27. Another service will be at Pond Creek, Oklahoma on Thursday April 18.