Ray Peterson

Ray L. Peterson, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the Alliance Health Center in Ponca City. He was 91 years of age.

Ray was born July 15, 1924 in Oilton, Oklahoma, the son of Lawrence E. Peterson and Emily (Staffa) Peterson. He completed high school at Cushing, Oklahoma. He was married to Verna M. Cross on November 10, 1945 in Ponca City. The couple had lived in Chicago before moving back to the Ponca City area. Ray first worked for Cities Service in Ponca City before his employment with Conoco. He then purchased and operated the Gulf Station on South 14th Street for several years.

Ray was of the Catholic faith. His enjoyments in earlier years were fishing with his wife and exploring back roads together on their numerous weekend trips. In later years he enjoyed gardening and yard work. He was known for giving away much of his garden produce to neighbors and friends. His latest enjoyment was playing dominos at the Via Christi Nursing Center.

He is survived by his four children, David Peterson and wife Rita, Michael Peterson and wife Sondra and Susan Jones, all of Ponca City, and Jim Peterson, of Independence, Missouri; 10 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Verna in 2000; and two sisters, Helen and Irene.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at the Ponca City I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.