January 6, 1931 - November 27, 2024
Raymond E. Davis was born January 6, 1931, to Perry and Goldie Davis in Enid, Oklahoma and passed away November 27, 2024. Ray graduated from Enid Public Schools in 1949 and from Oklahoma A&M (now known as Oklahoma State University) in 1954 with a degree in Construction Engineering and Business Administration. Ray worked several jobs during college including his own construction company and houseboy of a sorority house. He took advance ROTC and received his 2nd LT Commission in 1954. He was in Sigma Nu Fraternity as well as several scholastic fraternities.
Ray married Morayne (Micki) Clingenpeel in Muskogee, OK in January of 1954. Soon after he entered the Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD where he trained, and Red River Arsenal, Texas where their first-born Vicki arrived in 1955. He then received his first command of 820th ordnance detachment of eighty soldiers to support the 82nd airborne division at Ft Campbell, KY. After service, Ray and Micki returned to Enid to join his father and brother-in-law Harold Henson in P.C. Davis & Sons Construction Company. In 1956 their son Kevin was born.
Ray perpetuated P.C. Davis Construction Company after poor health forced retirement for his father Perry in 1964. Harold then formed and operated his own construction company, now operating as the very fine Henson Construction Company. During his years in the construction industry, Ray was an active member of the Associated General Contractors and held the position of president of AGC. P.C. Davis Construction built many buildings in Enid and Northwest Oklahoma including Waller Junior High, Autry Vo-Tech, Speedstar, Raleigh Bike, Stride Bank, Midwestern Life, and the Midwestern Inn (now Western Inn and Suites)
Ray especially enjoyed hunting quail and turkey with his son Kevin and their dogs. Time spent with his family at their family place in Ringwood, OK was what he thought was best of all. He often said how very lucky he was to have the wonderful family that he had.
Ray had many outside business interests to include gas and oil, drilling rigs, real estate, farming and ranching with son Kevin, and motel operation at Midwestern Inn with daughter Vicki. After the loss of both children in individual automobile accidents and marriage separation, Ray spent years traveling. Some of his travels included the Northern Territory in Australia, Tahiti, Tuamotus and other Polynesian Islands, Kenya and Belize. In each of these countries he embraced the culture through studying and becoming one with the locals in these countries learning their trade and skills.
Ray had a passion for playing tennis, fishing, and hunting. He particularly enjoyed fishing and traveled to various locations, including the west and east coasts of Costa Rica, the west coast of Mexico, the Baja Peninsula, the Gulf of Mexico, the east coast of Florida, the Big Island of Hawaii, and the east coast of Kenya. His enthusiasm for hunting greatly benefited him during his tenure as president of the Grand National Quail Club. In this role, he thoroughly enjoyed hosting both his friends and the many celebrities who joined them for their annual quail hunts.
Getting to know several from Hollywood throughout the years, Ray had the opportunity to work with Robert Fuller and Slim Pickens on two movies for TV. His involvement in these two movies led to him being awarded membership in the Hollywood Stuntman Association.
Through his long life, Ray had the opportunity to impact many lives through his generosity. In 2013, Ray started the Kevin and Vicki Davis Scholarship Program in honor of his late children to help students earn college credit while still in high school. In 2016 he expanded this program to provide tuition assistance for those in the program that continued to further their education after graduating high school. In 2014, Ray established the Perry and Goldie Davis Scholarship Fund at Leonardo’s which made it possible for thousands of children to visit Leonardo’s Children’s Museum without cost.
Ray is survived by his cousin Mary Ellen Prozinski and family of California; niece, Dr. Lynne Weksler and husband, Dr. Luis Weksler of Tulsa; two nephews, Steve Henson and wife Barbie of Enid, Brian Henson and wife Corey of Enid, and many great nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his mother and father, Perry and Goldie Davis, daughter Vicki Davis, son Kevin Davis, sister Marietta Henson, and brother-in-law Harold Henson.
A private service and memorial will be held at a later date to celebrate the life of Ray Davis.
Memorials may be made directly to the following organizations and carried out by Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home: Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, Enid Public School Foundation, and Autry Technology Foundation.
