Raymond Maness

Raymond Murray ìBuddyî Maness, 73, Terlton area resident, passed away Monday, March 8, 2010 at the Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He was born June 27, 1936 in Henderson, Tennessee; he was son of Raymond Lawrence and Ila (Gibson) Maness. Raymond was raised and attended school in Jackson, Tennessee graduating from Beech Bluff High School in 1954. After graduation, Buddy worked at various jobs in Jackson for a few years before moving to Sand Springs, Oklahoma in 1959 where he started driving a trucking and working for Hoerner Waldorf Box Company. After a few months, Buddy accepted employment driving a truck for North American Van Lines where he continued to work for nearly two years. He then began a career in the steel fabrication business accepting employment with Jones and Laughlin Steel Company in Sand Springs. In 1965, Buddy joined Armco Steel, then owner of the steel mill in Tulsa In the late 1980s, the plant, which made rebar and T-studded posts, began to diversify. Workers like Buddy, a welder, spent the winter months making specialty pieces and then back to rebar and t-studded posts in the summer months. Buddy continued to work for the company when Sheffield Steel Corporation eventually acquired the plant and then when the plant went under further reorganization, he accepted a position with Piping Engineering Company in Sand Springs. Raymond was married to Glenda Kay Stinson on October 21, 1990 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and have made their home near Terlton throughout their marriage. They enjoyed many activities together including following the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Championships taking trips to Des Moines, Iowa and to the Knoxville Nationals. They also enjoyed going to the rodeo and motorcycle riding, taking trips together often lasting several weeks. Buddy also enjoyed working on stock cars and motorcycles; painting and working on them which led to several awards that he won for their design. Additionally, the couple enjoyed participating in the Bikes, Blues and BBQ festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Buddy loved the outdoors and for many years enjoyed raising cattle and tending to his garden. He received the gift of life in October of 2000 when he received a heart transplant and was forced at that time to sell his cattle. Following nearly a one and half year recovery, Raymond again became active and recently started acquiring a few head of cattle. He also enjoyed listening to Country music and dancing. He and Kay could often be found dancing the two step at the Mannford Senior Center or in nearby Cleveland or Sand Springs. This love for dance has let the couple to also teach dancing at these events. During the late 1960ís and early 1970ís, Raymond was instrumental in the organization of the Pee Wee Baseball League in Sand Springs. He coach Pee Wee Baseball for many years and also helped to start the fist baseball field at Douglas Park. Raymond is survived by his wife Kay Maness of the home, four children Steven Maness and his wife Rhonda of Mustang, Oklahoma; Wanda Bailey and her husband Wayne of Salina, Oklahoma, Doug Maness of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Debbie Seaman and husband Todd of Jefferson City, Missouri; nine grandchildren; one brother Jack Maness and wife Judy of Sevierville, Tennessee; two sisters Louise Smith of Jackson, Tennessee and Gayle Kirby and husband Sammy of Ripley, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Katie Sue. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the Lakeview Christian Church in Mannford with John Catrette officiating. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m, Friday, March 12, 2010 or online at www.chapman-black.com.