Jay Ray Laxton was born December 19th, 1944 in Sayre, Oklahoma to Bessie Bell (Place) and James Augustus Laxton. He passed away at Elk City, Oklahoma on Friday, December 13th, 2024 at the age of 79 years, 11 months and 24 days.

Jay Ray grew up in Sayre, Oklahoma where he attended and graduated from high school in 1963 with the distinction of valedictorian. He furthered his education at Sayre Junior College receiving his associates degree in May of 1966. While at Sayre Junior College, he was married to Sharon Kay (Easter) on June 28th, 1965 in Delhi, Oklahoma. Jay Ray continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma earning a degree in Science in Education with certification in science and math. He began his teaching career at Sayre High School as a math teacher in January of 1966 and continued through the late 1960's when he began his Master's Degree in Education in math and administration. Jay Ray completed his master's degree in 1970 and continued to influence young men and women's lives through education.

In 1984, Jay Ray became the assistant superintendent and concurrently completed his superintendent certification at the University of Oklahoma in 1988. It wasn't until 1996 when Jay Ray became the superintendent of Sayre Schools completing his 32 year career in education in 1998. Not being one that could sit still for a lengthy period of time, Jay Ray was named the Academic Instructor at Corrections Corporation of American until it's closing. He later returned to Sayre Public School as interim superintendent to finish an existing term that was vacated. In 2005-2008 he also ran the Alternate Education Program for Sayre Schools before retiring for a second time.

Jay Ray being civically minded was appointed then elected to the Sayre City Council in 2002 and continued to maintain that position until 2021 after 19 years of dedicated service to the Sayre community. He also enjoyed his time spent fishing, hunting, the daily coffee meetings, and spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharon; brother, Rebel Laxton; brother-in-law, Dee Arlin Easter; 2 sisters-in-law, Sandra Jean Easter and Jennie Easter.

Jay Ray is survived by 2 daughters, Kimberly Reynolds, and life partner Lori Crawford, Oklahoma City, OK and Jennifer Jones and husband, Tom, Bossier City, LA; 3 grandchildren, Jimmy Lee Reynolds, III and wife, Kacee, Justin Jones and fiance', Anyawee "Cake" Ninkam, and Lauren Jones and fiance', Braley Browning; great grandchildren, Emily Reynolds, Jimmy Lee Reynolds, IV, Houston Reynolds, James Davin Milam, Michael Milam, Tristin Milam, Kyzor Milam, Josiah "Jojo" Reynolds, and Joshua "Brick" Reynolds, Drew Kay Reynolds; brother-in-law, Tommy Easter and wife, Janet, Sayre, OK; sister-in-law, Betty Laxton, Sayre, OK and a host of other relatives and friends.