Charles L. McCray

Charles Leslie McCray, age 86, of Claremore, Oklahoma passed from this life into Eternal life with Jesus on Friday, May 12, 2023. He was born on a farm near Pawnee, Oklahoma on September 10, 1936, to Alva and Gladys McCray. 

He was a devoted Christian who surrendered his life to Christ at the age of thirteen with his younger brother, father, uncle, and two aunts at a revival meeting in Blackburn, Oklahoma in 1949. Charles was a friendly person who never saw a stranger. He loved his family, his friends, and woodworking. 

He worked for Business Controls, as a salesman, for many years. Charles and his wife, Louise bought the Owasso Tastee Freeze in 1977. They ran the family restaurant for 20 years. They also owned the Tastee Freeze in Collinsville and Pawnee, Oklahoma. Later, he started working for Owasso Public schools until he retired in 2016. 

Charles was a people person who would always greet a visitor or strike up a conversation with someone in passing. He was always providing advice and leadership to others in need. He was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and a music leader at his church for many years. Most importantly, Charles loved his savior and his family. 

Charles is survived by his wife of 7 years, Shirley McCray, of the home; his two daughters, Cindy McCray of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Danette Martin and husband Bobby of Claremore, Oklahoma. He has been blessed to have five grandchildren; Brent Shoemaker, Chastity Shoemaker, Hannah Watkins, Bobby Martin, and Caleb McCray. He has 7 precious great grandchildren; Brentlee Smith, Monica George, Kodey Shoemaker, Chase Shoemaker, Ella Watkins, Ryleigh Martin, and Lily Martin; 4 Great great grandchildren Nate, Jon, and Logan Smith, and Everly George,  three younger sisters, Vicki Caldwell, Janice Skidgel, Kathy Berschauer,, sister-n-law, Ruth McCray, and Uncle Bill Southern. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, son, Bruce, great granddaughter, Parker Martin, his younger brother, Wayne and his parents, Alva and Gladys McCray. 

A memorial service for Charles will be held Friday, May 26, 2023 at 10:00 am at Hopkins Reynolds Funeral Service Chapel, 1501 W. Main, Collinsville, OK 74021.

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