1928
Albert
2018
Albert Raymond "Ray" Barbour
July 20, 1928 — November 13, 2018
Albert Raymond "Ray" BarbourJuly 20, 1928 ~ Nov 13, 2018
Ray Barbour was born July 20, 1928 in the very small farm town of Grainola, Oklahoma. Ray entered life under unimaginable poverty at the dawn of the Great Depression, inside the Oklahoma Dustbowl. Through the struggles of his formative years, Ray learned the value of persistence, hard work, education and imagination.
As an early teen, Ray found work as a cowboy and migrant farm laborer while still being very active in school. During high school, he was captain of the football team, member of School Theater and Vice President of the Senior Class.
Upon high school graduation in 1946, Ray joined the Navy and was stationed aboard President Truman’s Presidential Yacht, SS Williamsburg. Upon discharge in 1948, Ray married his high school sweetheart Twila, then enrolled at Kansas State University and graduated with an Engineering Degree. Together, Ray and Twila had two children.
In 1952 Ray embarked on three very successful careers. First, he applied his engineering talent to Conoco as Safety Director at the refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Second, in 1965 Ray joined CESCO, a small Petrochemical Service company, and moved his family to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During this time, family tragedy struck as Ray’s wife, Twila, passed away at the age of thirty-eight. In 1968 Ray married Patricia Chloteal Heckford (Clo) and her three children to form a seven-person blended family. Later, CESCO was bought out by Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) and Ray became a vice president.
Ray’s third career began in 1980 when he joined EF Hutton as a financial planner living in Arkansas until retirement in 1993. Then, Ray and Clo sold their home and most personal possessions, bought a motorhome, and embarked on a five-year journey, touring 48 states and southern Canada. Eventually, they settled in Dallas, Oregon as their final home.
Ray was a true Renaissance Man; energetic, inquisitive, honest; was devoted to family, work, church, politics and civic organizations. He was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman and Bridge player. He deeply believed in Christianity and the founding principles of our country; Liberty, individualism and self-reliance. Born into dire poverty, Ray rose to become a captain of industry, community leader, loving husband and father. Ray’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Ray is survived by five children, nine grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
On Saturday, January 19, 2019 there will be a celebration of Ray’s life at Capital Manor in West Salem from 2-4 pm. Farnstrom Mortuary is caring for the family. Memories and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Albert Raymond "Ray" Barbour, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Ray Barbour was born July 20, 1928 in the very small farm town of Grainola, Oklahoma. Ray entered life under unimaginable poverty at the dawn of the Great Depression, inside the Oklahoma Dustbowl. Through the struggles of his formative years, Ray learned the value of persistence, hard work, education and imagination.
As an early teen, Ray found work as a cowboy and migrant farm laborer while still being very active in school. During high school, he was captain of the football team, member of School Theater and Vice President of the Senior Class.
Upon high school graduation in 1946, Ray joined the Navy and was stationed aboard President Truman’s Presidential Yacht, SS Williamsburg. Upon discharge in 1948, Ray married his high school sweetheart Twila, then enrolled at Kansas State University and graduated with an Engineering Degree. Together, Ray and Twila had two children.
In 1952 Ray embarked on three very successful careers. First, he applied his engineering talent to Conoco as Safety Director at the refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Second, in 1965 Ray joined CESCO, a small Petrochemical Service company, and moved his family to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During this time, family tragedy struck as Ray’s wife, Twila, passed away at the age of thirty-eight. In 1968 Ray married Patricia Chloteal Heckford (Clo) and her three children to form a seven-person blended family. Later, CESCO was bought out by Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) and Ray became a vice president.
Ray’s third career began in 1980 when he joined EF Hutton as a financial planner living in Arkansas until retirement in 1993. Then, Ray and Clo sold their home and most personal possessions, bought a motorhome, and embarked on a five-year journey, touring 48 states and southern Canada. Eventually, they settled in Dallas, Oregon as their final home.
Ray was a true Renaissance Man; energetic, inquisitive, honest; was devoted to family, work, church, politics and civic organizations. He was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman and Bridge player. He deeply believed in Christianity and the founding principles of our country; Liberty, individualism and self-reliance. Born into dire poverty, Ray rose to become a captain of industry, community leader, loving husband and father. Ray’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Ray is survived by five children, nine grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
On Saturday, January 19, 2019 there will be a celebration of Ray’s life at Capital Manor in West Salem from 2-4 pm. Farnstrom Mortuary is caring for the family. Memories and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Albert Raymond "Ray" Barbour, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Albert Raymond "Ray" Barbour, please visit our flower store.
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