Raymond Levi Morris

We lost our most beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and friend on November 7, 2024. Raymond Levi Morris was a rock for our family, always there for any of us who needed him. His unwavering support, love, and strength will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Raymond was born in Cowden, Oklahoma, on November 1, 1928, to Brooks and Emily Morris, and was the youngest of three brothers. He was raised on the farm, learning the value of hard work from a very early age. After graduating from high school early, he attended college in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Shortly after, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the military.

Raymond served as an armorer, becoming an M-1 rifle expert in the elite 15th Constabulary Squadron. He earned the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal while serving in Germany. In addition to his duties maintaining, servicing, and repairing small arms weapons, he also served as a guard in a Jewish internment camp at the end of the war.

After returning home, Raymond met Juanita Berna at Bumpus Drug Store in Carnegie, Oklahoma. (The story goes that she had to make the first move.) While they were dating, Ray bought them matching sweaters, which they still have to this day. They were married on May 31, 1950, sneaking away and only telling his parents after the fact. They celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary this past May.

Soon after they married, Ray and Juanita moved to Oklahoma City, where Ray began working at Tinker Air Force Base. Later, he was recruited by Halliburton Resource Management, where he worked his way up to Vice President of the Oklahoma Division.

Ray had many hobbies and activities. He built a playhouse and fort for his grandchildren, crafted beautiful furniture, and created intricate woodworking projects for his daughter and granddaughters' craft booth. His meticulous needlework projects and quilts were admired by all who received them. He was known for his ability to fix anything. Ray loved camping, traveling, hiking, and exploring. You would never find him sitting still.

Ray had a mischievous sense of humor, and you never knew what to expect when he was around.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brooks and Emily Morris; his brothers, Alvin and B.A.; his grandson, Richard VanHeel; his son, Scott Morris; and his daughter, Connie Palmatary.

Ray is survived by his wife, Juanita Morris; daughter, Deborah Wilbanks; grandchildren, Lori (and husband Lee) Rhinehart, and Spencer (and wife Alicia) Wilbanks; great-grandchildren, Shay (and husband Seth) Rhinehart-Hale, Cady Rhinehart, and Barrett Wilbanks; and great-great-grandson, Romeo Lopez.

A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel, 1500 W. Vandament Ave., Yukon, OK 73099, with interment to follow at Yukon Cemetery.