RAY H. POTTS

November 6, 1932 to May 12, 2024

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Ray's Obituary

Ray Horton Potts was born November 6, 1932, in Salem, Missouri, and went to be with the Lord on May 12, 2024. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.

Ray was born to Forrest and Nellie Watson Potts and grew up on a farm in central Missouri where he learned a great deal about life and acquired his work ethic while milking cows with his brother, Al Potts. While growing up in rural Missouri, he gained a great appreciation of nature and the outdoors which led to his fascination with geology. Ray often shared fond memories of hunting and trapping animals with his brother. Together Ray and Pat instilled an appreciation of the great outdoors, a sense of commitment to community and a strong work ethic in their children and grandchildren.

Ray graduated from Gilliam High School in a class of seven students. In 1950 he enrolled at the University of Missouri where he met Patricia (Pat) Murphy and became a member of the freshman honorary Phi Eta Sigma Fraternity and also was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He and Pat were pinned in 1954 and married on June 18, 1955. Ray joined the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) while at the University of Missouri. He graduated in 1954 with a B.A. in geology and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt (Second Lieutenant) in the United States Air Force where he obtained his pilot’s wings in 1955.

While waiting to be called for active duty, Ray worked for the California Oil Company doing surface mapping near Miles City, Montana. In August of 1954 he was called to active duty and entered the flight training program. He spent two years in Spokane, Washington as a third pilot on a B-36 in the Strategic Air Command. In 1957 he returned to the University of Missouri to obtain an M.A. in geology. Upon graduation in 1959, Ray went to work for Pure Oil Co. in Oklahoma City. While working as a geologist for Pure, he attended law school at night and earned a juris doctorate degree from Oklahoma City University. Ray passed the Oklahoma Bar in 1965. One year after leaving Pure Oil Co. in 1965, he and Robert L. Stephenson co-founded Potts-Stephenson Exploration Company, later known as PSEC, Inc. In 1997, Ray and Robert sold PSEC, Inc. to ONEOK Resources Company. Ray then started Potts Exploration with his son Mark.

As chairman of the Natural Gas Committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), Ray had the privilege of testifying before Congress in 1982 in support of shifting federal regulation of gas back to the market and consumers. This effectively countered some of the adverse regulatory consequences of the 1978 Natural Gas Policy Act. While in Washington, DC, he had the privilege of meeting President Ronald Reagan.

Ray also made a great impact on the oil and gas industry across the country in the 1990s as he toured Wisconsin on behalf of the IPAA. He participated in a national education campaign to inform the public about where the oil and gas that powered their cars and homes came from and the important role it played in the economy.

Ray was active in supporting both his community and profession as he served in numerous capacities over the years as co-founder, trustee and past president of the Potts Family Foundation; a 64-year member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon, elder and chaired many committees; past president, chair and board member of World Neighbors; served on the boards of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club; Downtown YMCA; The Petroleum Club; Allied Arts; Economic Club of Oklahoma and The Fortune Club.

His commitment to public education was evident as he served for eight years as a member of the Oklahoma State Board of Education and State Board of Vocational-Technical Education. Ray was a member of the Task Force “2000”, a charter member and first president of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, a member of the “KIDS” Committee, co-chaired the Student Achievement Committee for “MAPS for Kids” and was appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin to the Smart Start State Board.

Professionally, he was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists since 1959; a member of the Oklahoma City Geological Society; past member of the Oklahoma Bar Association; served in various capacities as a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA); was past president and member of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA); Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA); past member of the Governor’s Natural Gas Advisory Council; the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and former board member of the Commerce Bank, Founders Bank and Panhandle Royalty Company.

With his wife, Pat, Ray made incredible and invaluable contributions to the oil and gas industry and the state’s nonprofit sector. He and Pat founded the Community Resource Development Center in 1980 that later became known as the Potts Family Foundation. They also founded the sixth Support Center of American, aptly named the Support Center of Oklahoma City. In 2005 that became known as the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

Ray is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patricia (Pat) Murphy Potts; three sons, Steven J. Potts and his wife Kathy of Oklahoma City; Mark C. Potts of Oklahoma City; Larry A. Potts and his wife Susan of Norman, and one daughter, Paula J. Potts of Oklahoma City. Ray and Pat were also blessed with eight grandchildren: Mike Potts and wife Darci of Arvada, CO; Chris Potts and wife Hannah of Arvada, CO; Daniel Burton and wife Tiffany of Oklahoma City; Jessica Huston and husband Corey of Dallas; Joey Burton of Oklahoma City; David Potts of Houston; Wade Potts and wife Hannah of Coppell, TX, and Paige Potts of Norman, OK. They were doubly blessed with six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Brandi Majors, Brenda Hampton, Melissa Hulsey, Latrice Moore and Latasha Hodges for their support and care of Ray in the last season of his life.

Services will be held on Tuesday, May 28 at 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel Avenue, Oklahoma City. A reception at the church will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Geological Foundation, OKC Philharmonic, World Neighbors or the non-profit of your choice.

The service will be livestreamed at: https://wpcokc.org/livestream