Raymond C Brown

Raymond Chester Brown, 93 of Winter Haven, Florida died November 10, 2014 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and Charles Wickersheim. He was under the care of Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale, Florida. Raymond was born on July 4, 1921 in Beggs, Oklahoma. He was the son of Arthur S. and Joanna Marie (Obenaus) Brown. Raymond was raised and received his early education in Slick, Oklahoma. He moved with his family to Davenport in the 9th grade and graduated from Davenport High School in 1939. Shorty after graduation, Raymond began a long career in the oilfields of Oklahoma. Raymond was working as a roustabout in the Davenport area when he enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Army on Mary 15, 1942. After completion of basic training as a telephone and telegraph lineman, Raymond was assigned to the 511th Parachute Infantry. His training consisted of Army Ground Forces and Parachute Training School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of five training jumps in January 1943; he was assigned to the Pacific Theatre. Raymond set telephone communication wire and equipment between command posts and regimental headquarters; stringing wire while under fire and was subsequently assigned to a Parachute Infantry Unit. He received a Bronze Arrowhead award for the invasion of Luzon where he parachuted to a strategic point and proceeded to install communication lines. Raymond served nearly eighteen months overseas in New Guinea, Leyte, Mindoro and Luzon. Additionally, he was awarded three campaign stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star and the Good Conduct Medal. He served for a short time with the Army of Occupation in Japan and made one combat parachute jump while there. He was honorably discharged from military service on November 29, 1945 and returned to Davenport. Upon his discharge, Raymond returned to work in the oilfields of Oklahoma working for Texaco and was married Ruby Mae Adams on June 19, 1947 in Davenport. They had three children, Gary L., Suzanne Marie and Valerie Ann. During the next twenty seven years the couple resided in Ratliff City, Chandler and Kingfisher before moving to Hominy in 1974. Raymond retired from Texaco in 1979 and accepted employment with A. E. Basinger Oil Producers of Bartlesville; retiring on January 10, 1992. Raymond was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Hominy where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and Sunday School Teacher. Later, Ruby and Raymond became members of the First Assembly of God in Hominy and remained active until Rubyís death on October 14, 2006. Raymond was known throughout the Hominy area for his ability to fix or repair just about anything. He was a handy manís handy man. He loved wood working and spent countless hours on projects. In addition to his wife, Ruby of nearly fifty-nine years, Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lt. John A. Brown and W. A. Brown; three sisters, Esther Vickery, Anna Pryor, and Mary King. He is survived by three children, Gary L. Brown of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , Suzanne Wickersheim of Winter Haven, Florida and Valerie Stewart of Edmond, Oklahoma; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Jo Myers. A viewing will be held on Friday, November 14, 2014 at Chapman-Black Funeral home between the hours of 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The service will be held at 2:00 pm at Chapman-Black Chapel, Cleveland, Oklahoma with military honors. Pastor Clifton Phelps will preside over the service.