More detail on this person: Lt. Col. Elbert Ray
Poole passed away on June 18, 2011 in Owasso at
the age of 67. He was born on March 8, 1944 to
William McKinley and Carol Ruth (Carter) Poole.
Ray graduated from Watonga High School in
1962. Burial information: Watonga IOOF Cemetery, Watonga, OK
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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Ray joined the U.S. Army serving during the
Vietnam War and with the National Guard, and he
served more than 27 years in the military.
Ray was united in marriage to Sue Vandergriff, who
preceded him in death earlier this year. He loved
to read and to collect books. He was great at
collecting pens, but his greatest passion was
flying. Ray flew helicopters for the military, as
well as other military aircraft. He also worked
for Bell Helicopter for a number of years as a
test pilot and engineer. The family joke was that
he must work for the CIA. Ray will be greatly
missed by all those who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William
and Carol Poole; wife, Sue Poole; and
sister-in-law, Linda Poole. Survivors Include his
son, Carter Poole and, wife, Alli, of Owasso;
grandchildren, Kaley, Corey, Logan, Baleigh and
Cruzen Poole, all of Owasso; brothers, Wayne
Poole, of El Paso, Texas, and Delbert Poole of
Salina, Kan.; nephew, Jeff Poole; niece, Jennifer
Poole, of Hollywood, Calif.; and many other
relatives and friends.
Visitations is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday
June 22, 2011 and at 9 a.m. on Thursday June 23,
2011 at Turner Funeral Home in Geary, Okla.
Graveside services begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday
June 23, 2011 at the Watonga IOOF Cemetery in
Watonga, Okla., with Rev. Charles Sappington
officiating. Burial is at Watonga IOOF Cemetery.
Funeral services are under direction of Turner
Funeral Home in Geary, Okla., and condolences
may be sent to the family
atturnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com.
I flew with him in the 68-69 243rd ASHC "Freight
Trains". Not sure if he was ever a member of
VHPA? He flew both in the Texas and Oklahoma
National Guard.
From: Jon Beckenhauer