Carol Ray Spess

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Carol Ray Spess was born on September 30, 1930, to Edgar Ray Spess and Ruby Berniece Mitchell Spess, in Old Mannford, Oklahoma. Carol graduated from Mannford High School in 1948. He began college at Oklahoma A & M, Stillwater, Ok. After 1 year, he transferred to the University of Tulsa and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology in 1953. Carol immediately joined the family oil business working with his father and his brothers, beginning with Ray Spess Drilling Company which was succeeded by Spess Oil Company. Throughout his life - even to the very last days - he stayed active in the operation of Spess Oil Company.
On his 19th birthday, September 30, 1949, he was united in marriage to Mary Sue Reeves, they were blessed with 42 years together. Carol and Mary Sue had 6 children, Susan, Debra, Cynthia, Lisa, Jeffrey, and Amy.
Sadly, on May 20, 1991, his wife, his mother, his sister and his two precious granddaughters' lives were taken by a drunk driver.
On June 12, 1998, Carol was united in marriage to Mary Romanza Noble, in Lake Tahoe, NV. They were married for 23 wonderful years.
God was always first and foremost in Carol's life, followed by his family, and then his business. He was an active leader at First Christian Church, Cleveland, serving as deacon, and later elder, he also taught Sunday School for many years. He led his children to love and serve the Lord, and he had a great desire for all he knew to take the Lord as their personal savior and Lord.
Carol peacefully passed away in his sleep Tuesday April 19, 2022, after a long illness with Covid pneumonia, at St. John's Medical Center in Tulsa.
Carol is survived by his wife, Romanza, of the home. His children: Susan Caroll Shay, Debra Denise Sparks, Cynthia Louise DeLay, Lisa Ann Ragsdale and Wayne, Jeffrey Philip Spess and Julie, and Amy Darlene Nation and Noel.
His grandchildren:
Danny Shay and China, Matt Shay and Nikki, and Bradley Shay and Nicole; Grant Sparks and April, Kyle Sparks and Julie, and Melanie Sparks McKinney and Jeremy; Whitney Carol DeLay Samerinezhad and Dustin, Kendal Delay Christmon, Mallory DeLay Reed and Brady, Eric DeLay and Claire ,and Kyla DeLay; Jason Ragsdale and Jessica, Ryan Ragsdale and Amber, and Jared Ragsdale and Nicole; Ashley Spess Brown and Jeff, Laura Spess Hurt and Tanner, and Philip Spess and Ruth; Hope Nation Gregor and Ryne, and Faith Nation.
Great-Grandchildren:
Elwood, Everett, Theo, Sophie, and Chloe Shay; Avery Sparks, Canaan, Reece, and Christian McKinney; Sloan Samerinezhad, Andrew and Annasten Christmon, Deegan, Harrison, and Thomas Reed; Addox, Avery, Jaden, William, Henry, Cora, Thea, Braden, Adam, and Andrew Ragsdale; Jaleigh, Aubriana, Emory, and Beckett Brown, Hatcher and Holdyn Hurt, and Thomas Carol Spess; also, Madison Gregor, and coming soon Wyatt Ray Gregor.
Grieving with them is his stepchildren Stan & Libby Noble, Stacy Faul, and Scott Noble and their children.
Carol was preceded in death by his wife Mary Sue, his parents, Ray, and Ruby; his brothers, Paul Spess and Frank Spess; his sister, Phyllis Spess Pulliam; his two grandaughters Anna Elizabeth and Lydia Marie Nation; and his sons in law, Gary Shay and Bruce DeLay.





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