Chester "Ray" Christopher

Chester Ray Christopher, 75, residing in Checotah, OK, but who was originally from Odessa, Texas, passed away on January 11, 2021 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

There will be no public viewing.

Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Pastor Griffin Jones, formerly of Crossroads Fellowship, Odessa, officiating.

Ray Christopher was born in Hugo, Oklahoma to Roy Washington Christopher and Elsie Louise Cowley Christopher on August 17, 1945.  He attended schools in Odessa all his young years.  He graduated from Odessa High School in 1963.  He played football his first year of high school when he attended Permian High School.  He was the first class at Permian High when it opened and helped in correctly picking the mascot and school colors.

He married Linda Bryant on October 28, 1966 in Odessa, Texas.

He worked as a policeman for a short time in Odessa after marriage.   He then worked for Foreman Electric, then Amoco Production Company, where he retired after 32 years.  Then he worked for Altura for another 3 years, then retired again.  After moving to Checotah, OK, he worked for Sharpe’s Department Store for 5 years, where he made many friends and touched many lives.  He retired from Sharpe’s 2 years ago on February 1, 2019.

He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the Navy for 4 years.  He was awarded several medals along the way.  Ray was also involved in the Masonic Lodge Organization.  Very proudly, he was very involved in Children’s Departments at Temple Baptist Church.  There he taught 5th and 6th graders in Sunday School.  He helped drive the church bus Sunday mornings, bringing children to church.  Later, at Crossroads Fellowship, he was very devoted to leading children to Jesus in the Awana’s Group.  Also, he led adult Bible Studies in his home and Church.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Willie Pearl Clements, Sybil Inge, Doris Billingsley, Vivian McElyea, Jerry Christopher, Richard Christopher, Royce Christopher, Sr., and Joe Christopher.

Ray is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Christopher; daughter, Michelle Phipps and husband Richard of Monahans, TX; brother, James Russell Christopher and wife Penny of Calera, OK; grandchildren, Spensor Phipps and wife Avery of Floresville, TX, and Jensen Phipps of Floresville, TX; his first great grandson, Sladen Phipps of Floresville; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved each one dearly.

Pallbearers will be Richard Phipps, Spensor Phipps, Ron Inge, Aaron Kessler, Steve Christopher, and Clint Phipps.

Memorials may be made to Crossroads Fellowship in Ray’s name.

The family of Ray Christopher wishes to extend our most sincere thanks to the Silver Team Chemotherapy/Infusion Clinic in Muskogee, OK; Dr. Manjula Krishnamurthi, chemo doctor in Muskogee, OK; Dr. Heaton, radiation doctor in Tulsa, Ok; the Jack C. Montgomery VA Hospital ICU nurses, nurses and doctors, especially Dr. Baker; as well as Dr. Negusse, radiation doctor in Muskogee, OK; and the office workers at the VA Hospital.  Last, but certainly not least, the special help from Ray’s nephew, Ron Inge, who helped greatly after his uncle’s passing.  Ray would be so proud and honored by all Ron has done for him.