Bobby Ray King passed away after a struggle with diabetes on February 12, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on July 26, 1954 in Tipton, and lived his entire life a content resident of Southwest Oklahoma.
Bobby was a son to Jessie Ray and Benny Jo, a father to Bradley, Brett, and Brett's wife Allie, and a grand-father to Emerson and Lillie. He was a superb husband and best friend to Melinda, who he met at (then) Southeast Jr. High, and who, as the story goes, fell for Bobby after their first teenage kiss.
Bobby was also a beloved brother to Betty Jo Kelly, a loyal brother-in-law to Larry Kelly and Mike, Mark and Mark's wife Vickie Nichols, and a sweet uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Graduating from Altus High in '73, Bobby joined the Army to see the world, but as he told the story, wound up stationed at Ft. Sill. After serving, he became the "point guy" at the Altus Sherwin Williams, as his boss and life-long friend Sam Byrd described him. Bobby went on to join Mark Nichols in farming, and he spent twenty-five years working the fields that stretch from Quartz Mountain to the Red River. His particular expertise was managing the chemical treatments for the crops and operating the sprayer. At work Bobby was known for his camaraderie and good humor, and he was never one to shirk a task.
More than anything, Bobby loved his family and friends. His favorite vacations were regular visits to his sons in Austin, TX and Oklahoma City, and his daily joys were joking chats on the phone with his mother, sister, and old friends. Many of Bobby's best times and biggest laughs were had around the table with family playing moon or Wahoo, ribbing at everyone the whole night. And any time he could, Bobby jumped to join his buddies for endless rounds of golf. If his spirit were ever to be seen under the heavens above, it would surely be at The Greens of Altus.
Bobby Ray King's death leaves behind the painful absence of his tenderness, his charm, his humor, and his extraordinary enjoyment in the common pleasures of life. For those who knew and loved Bobby, Southwest Oklahoma will hardly be itself without him.
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A memorial ceremony will be held on Thursday February 22 at 2:00 in the family's backyard. Jeans and caps are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to their fund for a memorial garden for Bobby, which will be built in their backyard. Donations may be made at Lowell Tims Funeral Home.
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