Ray was born at his farm home, just to the east of Boswell, in an area formerly designated Hunter Township. His school, Boswell Elementary, burned down in early morning hours of January 13, 1921, and the school-year was completed at the Methodist church, Presbyterian church, Christian church, and the Masonic Hall. A new school was built, and he was an honor student in the 8th grade. While assisting his father, the sheriff, in transporting a prisoner to Fort Towson, he foiled the prisoner's attempt to escape by shooting him in the leg. He graduated from Boswell High School in June 1929 with 16 other graduates. His class motto was: Each for all, All for the Class.
In 1929, he attempted to hitchhike to California, but was unsuccessful and returned to Oklahoma. The following year, he tried again and, traveling with two silver dollars in his shoe, made it all the way to the city of Huntington Park.
In California, he met Rose C Sullivan and fell in love. She was a staunch Irish Catholic, so in order to marry her, he had to convert from Methodism to Catholicism. He married her on May 20, 1933, at Saint Matthias Roman Catholic Church in Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, California. Their only natural child was born on November 20, 1942. Unfortunately, the doctor had difficulty unwrapping the umbilical cord from around the baby's neck and the infant died during or shortly after the birth process. This experience was so traumatic for Rose that she was fearful of going through it again.
They decided to adopt. Arrangement was made through the city of Los Angeles for them to receive the child of LaVerna Lorraine Lohr. The baby girl was born on September 17, 1943, and the adoption was completed on September 22nd. In 1944, Ray entered the U.S. Navy for service during World War II, and Rose remained at home with their daughter.
Ray's naval service was from January 5, 1944, to December 7, 1945. He was trained to be a welder and assigned to repair submarines.
SRTA, Mare Island, California
USS Apollo (AS-25) from December 1944 to February 1945
USS Sibley (APA-206) from February 1945 to March 1945
USS Apollo (AS-25) from March 1945 to August 1945
U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., from August 1945 to November 1945
After returning home, he remained in the Naval Reserve until 1948, and became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In the Navy, he had learned to cook and transitioned that skill into civilian life. He worked as a meat cutter (a member of the Meat Cutters Union) and as a cook. He was a man that could always be depended upon and stood strong for his family.
In 1961, he had surgery on his larynx. A second surgery was required after he fell from a ladder and tore the stitches. Afterwards, he spoke with a hand-held speaker for the rest of his life. Two of his grandchildren lived with him and his wife from 1964 to 1967. His wife died in 1967. Ray moved into a small apartment and only worked part-time.
His lifeless body was discovered on the floor of his apartment on June 5, 1972. It is believed that he died the day before. He may have gotten up to get the Sunday morning paper when the artery in his neck burst into his throat.
His favorite songs were:
Oklahoma Hills, by Red Foley
Red River Valley, by Red Foley
On the Street Where You Live, from the movie My Fair Lady
-Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Obituary
Thursday, June 8, 1972
Ray Spear
Services Held
Rosary for Ray C. Spear was recited Wednesday at Robert S. Moreland's South Gate Mortuary, and Mass was offered this morning at St. Matthias Catholic Church, where Mr. Spear held membership. Burial was in All Souls Cemetery.
Mr. Spear, 61, had lived in Huntington Park 39 years, was a native of Oklahoma, and died Monday at home. He is survived by a daughter, Madelyn Keeny of Cudahy; brothers, Oscar of Huntington Park and William of Westchester; sisters, Rowena Roche of Downey and Irene Dibble of Texas, and three grandchildren.
BEPS
This biography is NOT to be posted to any other website without permission.
(bio by: Raymond B.)
In 1929, he attempted to hitchhike to California, but was unsuccessful and returned to Oklahoma. The following year, he tried again and, traveling with two silver dollars in his shoe, made it all the way to the city of Huntington Park.
In California, he met Rose C Sullivan and fell in love. She was a staunch Irish Catholic, so in order to marry her, he had to convert from Methodism to Catholicism. He married her on May 20, 1933, at Saint Matthias Roman Catholic Church in Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, California. Their only natural child was born on November 20, 1942. Unfortunately, the doctor had difficulty unwrapping the umbilical cord from around the baby's neck and the infant died during or shortly after the birth process. This experience was so traumatic for Rose that she was fearful of going through it again.
They decided to adopt. Arrangement was made through the city of Los Angeles for them to receive the child of LaVerna Lorraine Lohr. The baby girl was born on September 17, 1943, and the adoption was completed on September 22nd. In 1944, Ray entered the U.S. Navy for service during World War II, and Rose remained at home with their daughter.
Ray's naval service was from January 5, 1944, to December 7, 1945. He was trained to be a welder and assigned to repair submarines.
SRTA, Mare Island, California
USS Apollo (AS-25) from December 1944 to February 1945
USS Sibley (APA-206) from February 1945 to March 1945
USS Apollo (AS-25) from March 1945 to August 1945
U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., from August 1945 to November 1945
After returning home, he remained in the Naval Reserve until 1948, and became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In the Navy, he had learned to cook and transitioned that skill into civilian life. He worked as a meat cutter (a member of the Meat Cutters Union) and as a cook. He was a man that could always be depended upon and stood strong for his family.
In 1961, he had surgery on his larynx. A second surgery was required after he fell from a ladder and tore the stitches. Afterwards, he spoke with a hand-held speaker for the rest of his life. Two of his grandchildren lived with him and his wife from 1964 to 1967. His wife died in 1967. Ray moved into a small apartment and only worked part-time.
His lifeless body was discovered on the floor of his apartment on June 5, 1972. It is believed that he died the day before. He may have gotten up to get the Sunday morning paper when the artery in his neck burst into his throat.
His favorite songs were:
Oklahoma Hills, by Red Foley
Red River Valley, by Red Foley
On the Street Where You Live, from the movie My Fair Lady
-Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Obituary
Thursday, June 8, 1972
Ray Spear
Services Held
Rosary for Ray C. Spear was recited Wednesday at Robert S. Moreland's South Gate Mortuary, and Mass was offered this morning at St. Matthias Catholic Church, where Mr. Spear held membership. Burial was in All Souls Cemetery.
Mr. Spear, 61, had lived in Huntington Park 39 years, was a native of Oklahoma, and died Monday at home. He is survived by a daughter, Madelyn Keeny of Cudahy; brothers, Oscar of Huntington Park and William of Westchester; sisters, Rowena Roche of Downey and Irene Dibble of Texas, and three grandchildren.
BEPS
This biography is NOT to be posted to any other website without permission.
(bio by: Raymond B.)
Ray was born at his farm home, just to the east of Boswell, in an area formerly designated Hunter Township. His school, Boswell Elementary, burned down in early morning hours of January 13, 1921, and the school-year was completed at the Methodist church, Presbyterian church, Christian church, and the Masonic Hall. A new school was built, and he was an honor student in the 8th grade. While assisting his father, the sheriff, in transporting a prisoner to Fort Towson, he foiled the prisoner's attempt to escape by shooting him in the leg. He graduated from Boswell High School in June 1929 with 16 other graduates. His class motto was: Each for all, All for the Class.
In 1929, he attempted to hitchhike to California, but was unsuccessful and returned to Oklahoma. The following year, he tried again and, traveling with two silver dollars in his shoe, made it all the way to the city of Huntington Park.
In California, he met Rose C Sullivan and fell in love. She was a staunch Irish Catholic, so in order to marry her, he had to convert from Methodism to Catholicism. He married her on May 20, 1933, at Saint Matthias Roman Catholic Church in Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, California. Their only natural child was born on November 20, 1942. Unfortunately, the doctor had difficulty unwrapping the umbilical cord from around the baby's neck and the infant died during or shortly after the birth process. This experience was so traumatic for Rose that she was fearful of going through it again.
They decided to adopt. Arrangement was made through the city of Los Angeles for them to receive the child of LaVerna Lorraine Lohr. The baby girl was born on September 17, 1943, and the adoption was completed on September 22nd. In 1944, Ray entered the U.S. Navy for service during World War II, and Rose remained at home with their daughter.
Ray's naval service was from January 5, 1944, to December 7, 1945. He was trained to be a welder and assigned to repair submarines.
SRTA, Mare Island, California
USS Apollo (AS-25) from December 1944 to February 1945
USS Sibley (APA-206) from February 1945 to March 1945
USS Apollo (AS-25) from March 1945 to August 1945
U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., from August 1945 to November 1945
After returning home, he remained in the Naval Reserve until 1948, and became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In the Navy, he had learned to cook and transitioned that skill into civilian life. He worked as a meat cutter (a member of the Meat Cutters Union) and as a cook. He was a man that could always be depended upon and stood strong for his family.
In 1961, he had surgery on his larynx. A second surgery was required after he fell from a ladder and tore the stitches. Afterwards, he spoke with a hand-held speaker for the rest of his life. Two of his grandchildren lived with him and his wife from 1964 to 1967. His wife died in 1967. Ray moved into a small apartment and only worked part-time.
His lifeless body was discovered on the floor of his apartment on June 5, 1972. It is believed that he died the day before. He may have gotten up to get the Sunday morning paper when the artery in his neck burst into his throat.
His favorite songs were:
Oklahoma Hills, by Red Foley
Red River Valley, by Red Foley
On the Street Where You Live, from the movie My Fair Lady
-Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Obituary
Thursday, June 8, 1972
Ray Spear
Services Held
Rosary for Ray C. Spear was recited Wednesday at Robert S. Moreland's South Gate Mortuary, and Mass was offered this morning at St. Matthias Catholic Church, where Mr. Spear held membership. Burial was in All Souls Cemetery.
Mr. Spear, 61, had lived in Huntington Park 39 years, was a native of Oklahoma, and died Monday at home. He is survived by a daughter, Madelyn Keeny of Cudahy; brothers, Oscar of Huntington Park and William of Westchester; sisters, Rowena Roche of Downey and Irene Dibble of Texas, and three grandchildren.
BEPS
This biography is NOT to be posted to any other website without permission.
(bio by: Raymond B.)
In 1929, he attempted to hitchhike to California, but was unsuccessful and returned to Oklahoma. The following year, he tried again and, traveling with two silver dollars in his shoe, made it all the way to the city of Huntington Park.
In California, he met Rose C Sullivan and fell in love. She was a staunch Irish Catholic, so in order to marry her, he had to convert from Methodism to Catholicism. He married her on May 20, 1933, at Saint Matthias Roman Catholic Church in Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, California. Their only natural child was born on November 20, 1942. Unfortunately, the doctor had difficulty unwrapping the umbilical cord from around the baby's neck and the infant died during or shortly after the birth process. This experience was so traumatic for Rose that she was fearful of going through it again.
They decided to adopt. Arrangement was made through the city of Los Angeles for them to receive the child of LaVerna Lorraine Lohr. The baby girl was born on September 17, 1943, and the adoption was completed on September 22nd. In 1944, Ray entered the U.S. Navy for service during World War II, and Rose remained at home with their daughter.
Ray's naval service was from January 5, 1944, to December 7, 1945. He was trained to be a welder and assigned to repair submarines.
SRTA, Mare Island, California
USS Apollo (AS-25) from December 1944 to February 1945
USS Sibley (APA-206) from February 1945 to March 1945
USS Apollo (AS-25) from March 1945 to August 1945
U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., from August 1945 to November 1945
After returning home, he remained in the Naval Reserve until 1948, and became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In the Navy, he had learned to cook and transitioned that skill into civilian life. He worked as a meat cutter (a member of the Meat Cutters Union) and as a cook. He was a man that could always be depended upon and stood strong for his family.
In 1961, he had surgery on his larynx. A second surgery was required after he fell from a ladder and tore the stitches. Afterwards, he spoke with a hand-held speaker for the rest of his life. Two of his grandchildren lived with him and his wife from 1964 to 1967. His wife died in 1967. Ray moved into a small apartment and only worked part-time.
His lifeless body was discovered on the floor of his apartment on June 5, 1972. It is believed that he died the day before. He may have gotten up to get the Sunday morning paper when the artery in his neck burst into his throat.
His favorite songs were:
Oklahoma Hills, by Red Foley
Red River Valley, by Red Foley
On the Street Where You Live, from the movie My Fair Lady
-Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Obituary
Thursday, June 8, 1972
Ray Spear
Services Held
Rosary for Ray C. Spear was recited Wednesday at Robert S. Moreland's South Gate Mortuary, and Mass was offered this morning at St. Matthias Catholic Church, where Mr. Spear held membership. Burial was in All Souls Cemetery.
Mr. Spear, 61, had lived in Huntington Park 39 years, was a native of Oklahoma, and died Monday at home. He is survived by a daughter, Madelyn Keeny of Cudahy; brothers, Oscar of Huntington Park and William of Westchester; sisters, Rowena Roche of Downey and Irene Dibble of Texas, and three grandchildren.
BEPS
This biography is NOT to be posted to any other website without permission.
(bio by: Raymond B.)
Gravesite Details
Interment - June 8, 1972
Family Members
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