Dr. W. Ray R. Corvin

December 25, 1921 to March 14, 2012

“You must find fun in whatever you do . . . . Knowledge means freedom.” Two statements by Dr. W. R. Corvin, better known as “Ray” to his friends.

William Rayford Corvin was born on a farm near Ada, Oklahoma, on December 25, 1921, to Will and Lou Ellen Corvin. He learned farm chores like milking cows and chopping cotton at an early age. He attended Egypt rural school, had a year at Vanoss High School, then three years at Ada High School, graduating in May of 1938. He was a State Champion in Debate at the age of 14.

He entered the University of Oklahoma at the age of 16. He also spent one semester at East Central State University in Ada. He was on the Debate Team for OU and met Geneva Leenora Goodman at a Debate meet. She was on the Debate Team for East Central.

Ray Corvin also was the manager of the shoe department at J.C. Penney’s; later becoming assistant manager of the store. Then came WWII. Ray was stationed at Ft. Jackson, S. Carolina, serving in the Supply Unit of the Army. Geneva and Ray were married in Greenville, S. Carolina in 1941. That was also the night Ray accepted Christ. R. O. Corvin, his brother, was the minister. He was discharged on August 30, 1943. Geralon Loray was born in November, 1943.

After his military tenure, Ray Corvin returned to OU, finishing his B.A. Degree in Business. During this time, he pastored a Pentecostal Holiness Church in Norman, Oklahoma. He was also an announcer for the WNAD radio station. W. R. Corvin was ordained by the Pentecostal Holiness Church on August 23, 1947.

W. R. decided to attend Garrett Theological Seminary at Evanston, Illinois, and to do graduate work at Northwestern University. He received his Master’s of Divinity Degree from Garrett in 1950 and was working on his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Northwestern.

Ray was also pastoring a Methodist church at Rockton, Illinois, where he served for six years to 1953. This small town church grew to a congregation of 450 persons, with two Sunday morning services, and having to seat people in the basement. Venita Gail (1948) and Douglas Rayford (1950) were born during this time period.

In 1953, W. R. returned to Oklahoma City where he became vice president of Southwestern College. He was also pastor of Muse Memorial Church, during part of this time frame. In 1959 he became acting president and then president of the college, a position he held for 15 years.

During this time the enrollment increased from less than 100 students to 2100 on campus, and 1100 through external studies; a total of 3200 students. It became one of the fastest growing Christian Junior Colleges in America. Southwestern was awarded full accreditation with North Central under Dr. Corvin’s presidency.

W. R. Corvin received his Ph. D (Doctor of Philosophy) degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1968. During this time frame, Dr. Corvin was a member of numerous civic organizations, including the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club and the Oklahoma City Westside Lions Club, serving several terms as President. He could even be seen as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. In 1975, Dr. Corvin was selected as an Outstanding Educator of America.

After leaving Southwestern in 1976, Dr. Corvin became vice president of Will Rogers Bank (now Intrust Bank) on N. W. 10th street. He served this position for five years.

Feeling the call to get back into the Christian education field. He helped develop the Modular Education System, a research-oriented institute designed to produce systems of education for churches, individuals, colleges and universities. Many of these courses were developed by Dr. R. O. Corvin. In l980 it evolved into the University of Biblical Studies. Upon R. O.’s death in 1981, Dr. W. R. Corvin took over the leadership of UBS, expanding it to offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs, featuring modules of external study. They featured training for ministers, missionaries, evangelists and people involved in various Christian ministries. UBS had students from all 50 states and 22 foreign countries. In 1991, they had over 3000 active students. Through the years they had enrolled over 10,000 students from all over the world and 24 different denominations, as well as numerous prisons. UBS later was changed to American Bible College and Seminary.

In 1985, after the passing of his first wife, Dr. Corvin married Nina McDaniel. They were together until her passing in 2008.

Dr. W. R. Corvin was president of the University of Biblical Studies for over 15 years. In 1990, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Baptist Christian College in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Dr. Corvin has traveled to and spoken in many foreign countries, including India, Israel, Cuba (twice) and China. He was instrumental in establishing learning centers in many countries around the world.

In 2002, Dr. Corvin suffered brain trauma, due to an accident, causing a progressive deterioration. After Nina’s death in 2008, W. R. was cared for by his family and Legend at Council Road. He passed away very peacefully on March 14, 2012, at 5:45 pm as Geralon was reading to him from the Psalms.

W. R. Corvin’s surviving family members include: his two daughters: Geralon (& Danny) Ore and Nita Twyman; his daughter-in-law, Nancy Corvin. Ray’s grandchildren include: Lenni (& Royce) Peterson, Dana (& Davey) Johnson, Cherita (& David) Wells, D.J. (& Mechalle) Ore, Chris (& Cassandra) Twyman, Kevin (& Abbie) Twyman, Melodye (& Evan) Klassen, Chaney (& Mark) Satterfield. Also, he has 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren..