Ray Walker

Celebration of Life for Ray Walker, age 89, of Frederick, Oklahoma will be at 2:00 P.M., Monday, November 11, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, 201 East Grand Avenue, Frederick, Oklahoma with Rev. Les Banks and Pastor Josh Boles officiating. Burial will follow in the Frederick Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Jackson Funeral Home of Frederick. Mr. Walker passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, November 6, 2024, at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus, surrounded by his family.
Ocia Ray Walker was born September 4, 1935, in Snyder, Oklahoma to Olden Reuben and Ruby (Campbell) Walker. He attended Snyder Public Schools, transferring to Laing High School where he graduated with the Class of 1954. He later attended Cameron Junior College in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he graduated with a Degree in Agriculture. On September 23, 1956, he and Virigina Ann Simmons were united in marriage at the First Baptist Church in Roosevelt, Oklahoma.
Ray was actively involved in Frederick for many years. He was a leader in the community, where he strived to donate his talents as a successful businessman to help Tillman County grow and remain strong. He brought a lot to the table in wisdom, experience, dedication, and trustworthiness.
He had been a business owner in Frederick since the 1960's. Ray owned and operated four businesses along with his wife Virginia and son and daughter-in-law. The family-owned Walker Land & Cattle Company, Western Hull Sacking, Inc., Walker Fertilizer, Inc, and B Bar W Western Wear.
He had been a member of both the State and National Fertilizer Association's where he received the "Dealer of the Year" award and had been the recipient of numerous other chemical and fertilizer dealer awards throughout his many years in the business. He also invented and trademarked Magic Marker Ag Foam, which was distributed in the United States and the UK.
Ray and his wife showed horses and were very involved in the Oklahoma Appaloosa Association where he served as the association President for several years throughout the 60s and 70s. The couple bred and sold appaloosa horses all across the country for over 30 years. He also had a hand in introducing the first equine treadmill of its kind to this region of the country and sold them.
He was a member of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce and had served on the agriculture/livestock committee for many years. Ray was named an Honorary FFA member for the time and energy that he contributed to the Frederick FFA Chapter.
Ray had served on the Southwest Board of Trustees for the Southwest Rural Development Authority, which assisted businesses when they needed help growing or expanding in the area. He also served on the Tillman County Industrial Authority Board which helped regulate loans to businesses in Frederick and the surrounding area. Ray had previously served on the Southwest Rural Electric Board and BancFirst Advisory Board. He was also instrumental in organizing the Tillman County Crimestoppers.
Ray was involved in the Tillman County Historical Society for many years. He had been instrumental in the effort to publicize and promote the story of the Abernathy Boys. For several years Ray and his family hosted the annual "Crossroads Ranch Trail Drive and Chuckwagon Dinner". Frederick recognized two different "long riders" who traveled through Frederick on their journey across Oklahoma, because of the Abernathy story. Both times, Ray and Virginia had been called upon by the community to host these riders and their horses while they visited Frederick and the Tillman County Historical Museum. Ray served on the Centennial Committee that helped raise money to fund the Abernathy statue, which sits on the Tillman County Courthouse lawn, and the Abernathy exhibit at the Pioneer Townsite Museum. He was involved in the planning of Frederick's Statehood Day Parade and led the parade on horseback while carrying the American flag.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Virginia Walker of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Kristi of Frederick, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Kaisen Walker and Kolt Walker both of Frederick, Oklahoma; one brother, Roy Walker of Davidson, Oklahoma; two sisters, Rita Edwards of Vernon, Texas, and Mary Nicholson and her husband J,B, of Spring Town, Texas; one brother-in-law, Wayne Magee of Myaka City, Florida; one sister-in-law, Wanda Simmons of Roosevelt, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Olden and Ruby Walker; two sisters, Marva Magee and Vera Walker; two brothers-in-law, Al Edwards and Donald Simmons; and one sister-in-law, Karel Walker.