Raymond Arthur Holder

Raymond Holder’s 88 years were filled with the most important and central aspects of his life; being God centered and family focused. He was attentive, prayerful, inclusive, celebratory, playful, hardworking, and a snappy dresser. Even more, he loved spending time with his wife and family. One Christmas, Ray and Martha were gifted a single-cup coffee machine that became essential to their times of celebration with family and friends. They brought this portable coffee machine, and the many coffee flavors, to church gatherings and family activities. On every occasion, they offered cups of coffee brimming over with joy, fun, off-key Happy Birthday songs, fellowship, and community. Their abundant offerings of coffee cups became an extension of their overflowing love, warmth, and value of others.

The simple cup of coffee offers insight into how Ray lived his life. This cup of life mixed the flavors of challenges, joys, and blessings. Although he endured times of increased medical care, the blessings came each day. Ray’s children rose to the occasion and cared for him a night of the week. Cathy was Sunday night, Randy was Monday night, Rick was Tuesday night, Rob was Wednesday night and Roger was Thursday night. This is the greatest reflection of Ray. His children gave themselves willingly, lovingly and without complaint. Through these times, God’s sovereignty can be seen as He provided joy and blessings every step of the way.

Ray encouraged us to firmly hold the cups of our lives and lift them up as signs of hope for others. We each drink our cups of joy and sorrow mixed in a warm and comforting cup of love. I encourage each of us to remember Ray as we pour into our cups. Let them fill with the same love and warmth he poured out to us. Please, remember to smile inside and to remember how generous God is in filling our life with blessings, as we are blessed to have known Ray.

Raymond Holder was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Martha; granddaughter Hannah, sister Betty Horton and Brother Roy.

Ray is survived by his six children, Cathy Smith and her husband, Brent; Rick and his wife Holbrook; Linda Stemmons and her husband Gary,: Randy, Rob and his wife Julie,; Roger and his wife Becky; 18 grandchildren—Matt, Brandon, Casey, Marcie, Michael, Alex, Madison, Clayton, Merritt, Cameron, Riley, Sydney, Ryan, Russell, Reese, Megan and Ross and Hannah; and four great grandchildren, Sophia, Bennett, Collin and Edward.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 5:30pm-8:00pm at Schaudt Funeral Service, 5757 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145. Funeral services will be held 11:00am, Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Park View Baptist Church, 5805 South Sheridan Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service, 5757 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145. Family and friends are invited to leave kind words of comfort, share special memories, and offer condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.