Ray Dean Hallmark

Ray Dean Hallmark was born in Marlow, Oklahoma January 8, 1928 to Luther and Eugenia (Kelly) Hallmark. He graduated from Marlow High School. He was the son and grandson of a Mason. His mother and sister were Eastern Star members. His father, a member of the Marlow Lodge, passed away when Ray was only 9 years old. He became “the man of the house” and worked at such jobs as unloading freight, washing windows, sacking sawdust, selling watermelons and working in a drugstore. Now, don’t think that this Horatio Alger story was without mishap! No Sir! One of Ray’s first business ventures was an attempt to chill watermelons in Wild Horse Creek at the edge of Marlow. It was a brilliant endeavor...up until the overnight rise in the creek which then washed away all of his watermelons!

Ray was an All-State Football Player in 1947 and worked for an oil field supply company in Velma, OK following high school. In 1950, he began his association with Cameron Iron Works. This was to last until 1982. During his Cameron years, he started as a service man in Chickasha, OK. After about a year, Ray moved into Sales and then, he became District Manager. From this, he was elevated to Area Manager. Next, he was Assistant General Sales Manager in Houston and oversaw the entire United States. Prior to retirement, Ray became Cameron Iron Works General Sales Manager for the world, traveling world wide selling oilfield pressure control equipment.

While Ray was engaged in the preceding daily activities, the real hero of the story was Ray’s lovely wife, Mary Lou, who became his bride in 1948. She had served as Marlow High’s Football Queen. It was she who was the “homemaker”, making a cozy home for Ray and their three daughters, Kathy Hallmark Allsot, Beverly Hallmark Anderson and Becky Hallmark Poole. These daughters presented Ray and Mary Lou with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ray first felt the urge of Masonic Affiliation in 1949, becoming an “Entered Apprentice Mason” in Duncan Lodge #60, in Duncan, Oklahoma and being raised to the Degree of Master Mason in the same year.

Ray retired from the business world and moved to Buffalo in 1980. Ray took on the hobbies of being a Grandpa, being a friend to all with all whom he came into contact, being a member of First Baptist Church, raising cattle and becoming a very active member of Cotton Gin Lodge #154. Ray went through the chairs at Cotton Lodge, serving as Worshipful Master in 1993 and, later, capping it off as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District #22.

He and Mary Lou were married for 62 years until her death on March 13, 2011. Ray was also preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Rubia Pettus. Ray is survived by his three daughters and their husbands: Kathy and John Allsot of Georgetown, TX, Beverly and Don Anderson of Midland, TX and Becky and Mike Poole of Buffalo, TX as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Ray Dean Hallmark are set for 10 AM, Thursday, September 28, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Buffalo with the pastor, Rev. Alan Grisham, officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 5 PM until 7 PM. Burial will follow in the Buffalo City Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Brian Crum, Rusty Crum, Kyle Anderson, Drew Anderson, Paul Anderson, Kevin Penner, Mark Penner, Matt Poole, Amanda Budvaitis, Michelle Minchew and Clara Poole.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters’ Buffalo Funeral Home.