Raymond D. Struble

On July 24, 2025, Raymond D. Struble (Ray) went to be with the Lord, after 91 years on this earth. Ray grew up in Oklahoma in the 1930’s during the great depression at a time of extreme hardship and the personal loss of his mother and brother Lee during his very early childhood. As a result of these difficulties, Ray resolved to always place his family’s well-being before his own. Ray loved vegetable gardening, working on vintage Ford Mustangs, his many beloved dogs, hunting and wandering his 70-acres of land in Ada, Oklahoma. Sacrifice for his family, thoughtful gift-giving, a fighting spirit for life and love of country defined Ray to the very end.

Aside from his family, Ray was most proud of his 30-year service in the U.S. Air Force. He was a combat veteran of the Korean conflict, serving in the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron as a tail-gunner in an RB-29 aircraft, whose mission was to perform target and bomb-damage assessment photo and visual reconnaissance over North Korea and other special photographic and “ferret” missions as the cold war began with the Soviet Union. During the Vietnam conflict, Ray served at Korat Air Base in Thailand, supporting numerous Air Force missions over North and South Vietnam. His many commendations included the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal (Army) with two bronze loops, Korean Service Medal with two devices, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and an Air Force Presidential Unit Citation.

After basic training in Texas, Ray’s military career took him to Yokota Air Force Base in Japan, Travis Air Force Base in California, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Kindley Air Force Base in Bermuda, MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, another tour at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan, then Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Korat Air Base in Thailand and finally Langley Air Force Base, where he retired in 1983. Aside from his combat experience, Ray was assigned to the Air Force’s U-2 Surveillance program as a staff Non-commissioned officer, he was part of an small team to write the requirements for establishment of the Air Force’s Chief Master-Sergeant rank (E-9) and he was one of the first promoted to Chief Master-Sergeant after formal establishment of that rank. He ended his career as a senior enlisted member of the Air Force’s Inspector General team.

Ray was born in Tahona, Oklahoma on December 4th 1933, the son of William Andrew Struble, a coal miner and combat veteran himself and Augusta Cole of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Lee, Leon, William (Bill), David and his twin sister Rachael. Ray is survived by his three children; Ronald Struble and his wife Marie, Jill Lockard and Sue Anne Wells and her husband Mark. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Tyler Templeton, Luke Templeton, Norah Brown, Erin Struble, David Struble, Sarah Struble, Amanda Struble, Sydney Lockard, Lindsay Vaughn and her husband Chris. Ray also leaves three great grandchildren, Aubrey Vaughn, Abigail Vaughn and Adrian Vaughn. He is also survived by loving extended family members Loren and Pat English, Gretchen English, Zoe English and Ted Lockard.