Oakley and Yotice (Sally) Ray

YOTICE (SALLY) MALLORY RAY (Age 94) December 16, 1929 – August 16, 2024

OAKLEY M. RAY (Age 86) May 5, 1927 - February 21, 2014, A Celebration of Life Mass will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. at The Old Cathedral Catholic Church, 205 Church St, Vincennes.

Oakley, Jr and Yotice (Sally) Ray were married for 63 years. They were parents of two, Sue (Ray) Shepard and Mike Ray (Lu Anne Ray). Grandparents of five, Stephen Ray (Katelynn Ray), Michael Dean Shepard, Katherine Ray, Mallory Shepard and Ashley Shepard and Great Grandparents of two, Laken Ray and Oakley Ray. Since 2003, they resided at Westminster a Retirement Community in Lake Ridge, Virginia.

Oak held a BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, followed by a year's graduate study at the University of Chicago. Following service in the Army's Scientific and Professional Corps, he joined the Purdue staff. During 1972-92 he served as President of American Feed Industry Association, the national trade association of the animal feed industry. During parts of that period he also served as Chairman of the Washington Food Group (65 national associations), President of the Agricultural Association Executives Council (31 state, regional and national associations), Chairman of the Feed Industry Political Action Committee, Chairman, Animal Industry Foundation and Treasurer, Committee of 100 of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Other volunteer activities included President of two Arlington civic associations, President of a PTA, Treasurer, Arlington County Extension Board and Trustee of two real estate trusts. At Westminster he served on the Finance Committee, Health Committee, Vice Chairman, Potomac Hospital Fund Drive Committee and Treasurer, Resident's Council.

Yotice (Sally) Mallory Ray graduated with a BA in Home Economics from Purdue University. She taught Home Economics in Monroe, VA during the time that Oakley was in the military. They lived in a suburb of Chicago while Oak worked at AFMA. The family moved to Arlington, VA when the DC office of AFMA was opened. Yotice was passionate about art and volunteered as a docent of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. In addition, she also volunteered for the local PTA and CCD education group at St. Agnes in Arlington, VA. She was very supportive of Oak’s career and frequently hosted events for the spouses of the members of AFMA.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. at The Old Cathedral Catholic Church, 205 Church St, Vincennes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org (Oakley M & Yotice (Sally) Ray Tribute), or by contacting (812) 475-1012.