Louis Ray Sounders

Louis Ray Sounders was born on August 13th, 1946 in Lowrey, OK, the son of Jake and Grace (Warren) Sounders. He was the youngest child, being raised with two older sisters, Beatrice and Rosemary. During his childhood, the family lived in Lowrey, and Louis attended grade school at Lowrey. He graduated from Tahlequah High School, and started working for the Tahlequah Police Department as a Dispatcher. He began his studies at Northeastern State University, working on Business Administration and Accounting. He met and fell in love with a beautiful young lady, Edna Pauline Blossom. They were wed on July 18th, 1966 at his sister Rosemary’s house in Tahlequah, OK. In 1969, Louis was called up to serve during the Vietnam War. When his time was completed, he returned to Tahlequah to Pauline and together, they raised a family of one son, Jimmy and one daughter, Tiffany. Louis graduated from Northeastern State and began working as a Banker for First State Bank where he worked for many years and retired in 2012. Louis loved helping people and it showed. He always had the brightest smile and a story to tell you, just to make you smile. He was fun to talk to and he liked to tease. He loved to go hunting for deer and quail and find the perfect spot to fish. In his younger years, he liked to play softball and he was an avid member of the bow club. A Christian by faith, his mother had raised Louis in the Moody Church of Christ, and after he married and moved, he remained a member of the South College Church of Christ, where he spent many years serving as a deacon. He adored his family, and every spare moment was spent in their company. With the addition of a grandson, Hunter, his life was complete. He loved the view from his own front yard, and the sunset was at its best at his own home. Louis enjoyed life, but it was not without its hardships. His health began to fail him, and Louis remained at his home, surrounded by the family he loved until his passing on June 13, 2024. He was 77 years old and will be greatly missed by all those fortunate enough to call him friend.

Louis is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father, his beloved son Jimmy in 1990, two sisters, Beatrice Powers, and Rosemary Davis, two nephews, Jerry Powers and Gilbert Davis and Gilbert’s wife Debbie Davis, and Evelyn Gritts Husband, Phillip.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Pauline Sounders of the home in Tahlequah, OK, and his daughter, Tiffany Gower and husband Randy of Moody, OK. He leaves his nieces and nephews, Darlene Neeley of Claremore, and JW Powers and wife Linda of Catoosa, OK, and Patricia Blackford and husband Duane of Rose, OK. He lives on in his grandson, Hunter Ray Gower of Moody. He will also be remembered by his sister and brother in law, Margaret Wilson and husband Phil of Tahlequah, Evelyn Gritts of Tahlequah, Sandy Houston and companion Dale Dushane of Tahlequah, Kenneth Blossom of Oaks, Bobby Blossom of Welling, OK, and Darrell Blossom of Teresita, OK. He also leaves many friends and acquaintances whose days were made a little better because of Louis Sounders.

Funeral services for Louis Ray Sounders will be conducted on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 at 10:00 AM, at Elm Tree Baptist Church with Pastor DJ McCarter officiating. His family will receive guest on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 beginning at noon until 5:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel. He will be laid to rest next to his son, Jimmy at Johnson Prairie Cemetery in Liberty, OK.

Pallbearers for Louis include Randy Gower, Joey Gritts, Josh Gritts, Darrell Blossom, Ryan Gritts, and Aaron Houston. His honorary pallbearers include Kenneth Blossom, Bobby Blossom, Jericho Blossom, and Eric Smith.