Raymond Charles Janka

Raymond Charles Janka joined his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 25, 2011, at the age of 84, after a long illness with Alzheimer’s. Ray was the only child of Stephen and Mabel Janka born in St. Louis, MO, on November 19, 1927. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1945 and went on to receive his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. He also served two years in the Army at Camp Detrick, in Frederick, Maryland.

Ray worked as a chemical engineer for Mallinckrodt in Weldon Springs and St. Louis, MO, from 1952 to 1968. He moved his family to Oklahoma City in January 1968, where he worked for Kerr McGee until he retired in 1987. One of his accomplishments while at Kerr McGee was receiving a patent for his involvement with the process of the hydroconversion of coal. After retirement, he worked for two years as a realtor for Century 21 and continued to enjoy the things he loved. Ray loved camping, fishing, square dancing, woodworking, clowning, and being an amateur radio operator. He also enjoyed taking cruises with his wife all across the world. Ray served faithfully at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in several leadership roles.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Mabel Janka and is survived by Barbara Irene Janka, his wife of 54 years of Oklahoma City; two daughters, one son, ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Daughter, Cindy Suenram and husband Chris of Edmond, and their children Charlie and Annie. Daughter, Becky Jaime and husband Alex of Yukon, and their children Bridget, Katie, and Tony and his wife Jamie and their two children Sawyer and Eli. Son, Chris and wife Cindy of Yukon, and their children Rachel, Kaitlyn, Becca, Abigail, and Mikayla.

The wake service is Monday, November 28, 2011, at 7 pm at Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel on MacArthur, 5820 NW 41st Street, Warr Acres, OK. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at 10 am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 5024 N. Grove, Oklahoma City, OK. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 7801 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St. Ann’s Nursing Home. The family is very grateful for the loving care given to Ray by the staff at St. Ann’s Nursing Home.

Arrangements under the direction of Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel, Oklahoma City, OK.