Ray Hickey

Ray C. Hickey, esteemed finance director and consultant,  beloved auctioneer, real estate broker, and longtime resident of Payne County passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Born on January 22, 1940, to Joseph Lawrence and Mary Elizabeth (Roder) Hickey in Kingfisher County, five miles east of Hennessey, Oklahoma, Ray led a remarkable life filled with dedication and kindness.  Ray began his education in a one-room rural school house, then attended school in Hennessey from the fifth grade until his graduation with the Hennessey High School class of 1957.  On August 20, 1960 he married Donna Gaye Barber in Stillwater.  They were blessed with 51 years of marriage before Donna's passing in 2012.
 
Ray served as the Finance Director for the Stillwater Public Schools from 1968 until his retirement in 1993 before transitioning to the role of financial consultant until 2002.  Additionally, Ray served alongside Tom D. Berry as an auctioneer and real estate broker.   
 
In honor of his country, Ray dedicated four years of service to the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1962 where he was stationed at Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. His passion for woodworking and love for spending time with family were testaments to his gentle and caring personality.
 
Ray is reunited in peace with his wife, Donna; parents; three brothers: Joe, Harold, and Richard; and one sister, Patricia. He is survived by his son, Steve Hickey and wife Shaun of Stillwater, Oklahoma; daughter, Gaye Lynn King and husband Kyle of Stillwater, Oklahoma; companion, Ms. Jessie Kersey of Hennessey, OK; grandchildren, Bryan Hickey (Amy) of Henderson, NV, Brad Hickey (Taylor) of Carthage, NC, Cole Hickey (Kaitlyn) of Euless, TX, Clay Hickey (Emily) of Savannah, GA, Beth Pierce (Liz) of Arcadia, OK, and Jacob Perkins (Alexsyss) of Manford, OK; as well as great-grandchildren, Joseph, Addy, Ronin, Olivia, Benny, Jade, Marleigh, and Cheyanne. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a multitude of friends.
 
A viewing will be held on Monday, June 10th from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater followed by a graveside service on Tuesday, June 11th at Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater at 10:30 AM with military honors provided by the Tinker Air Force Base funeral detail team.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tom D. Berry, Harry Marton, Roy Scott, Rick Lewis, Jim Smith, Jim Ramsey, and Jim Hickey.
 
Ray's legacy lives on through the memories he created with loved ones and the impact he made within his community. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
 
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at the Dighton-Marler Funeral Home website.
 
Family requests memorial donations be made in Ray's honor to St. Jude Children Research in c/o Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK, 74075.