Raymond E. Batchelor

Raymond Ellis Batchelor, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Tulsa on January 2, 2016, surrounded by his family and three dogs. Raymond (Ray) was born on April 25, 1933 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Raymond Ellis Batchelor, Sr. and Sarah Caroline (Kinnaird) Batchelor. His childhood was spent in central Kansas where his work ethic was formed at an early age by delivering newspapers, mowing yards, and sweeping floors at the local grocery store during the summers and on Saturdays. The family returned to Tulsa when he was 15; coming from a town of 4800 people to Central High School with 3200 students. He said it was one of his biggest culture shocks of his life, but he graduated from Central High School with good grades. He continued on to the University of Oklahoma to study petroleum engineering, but having a good time took a front seat, and he left after the first year. A lesson learned, he transferred to the University of Tulsa and focused on his studies and working part time. His father highly encouraged him to get a job and with three friends, they had a paper box route for East and Northeast Tulsa. In 1957, he graduated with a BS from TU. The second cultural shock in Ray's life was meeting his future wife, Janada LaPlante, at TU in 1956 and marriage in September 1957. Ray followed his father into the oil field business and packed his bags and new wife and moved to Farmington, NM to work for Bovaird Supply, which was one of the largest independent supply companies in the US. He moved up the ladder in management, and 10 years later he returned to Tulsa with his family and the title, Vice President of Operations for Bovaird. Ray remained a loyal employee to Bovaird for 31 years until he retired in 1987 and started his own business, BHC Pipe & Equipment. He continued his passion of buying and selling used oilfield equipment, but now on his own terms. Ray was man who could find anything and knew everybody in the oil and drilling community; people knew his promise was good as gold. Ray was highly respected and sought after for his counsel in the oilfield. As stated by a friend, "The industry lost a real pioneer, he was honest and a true friend. There aren't many "old timers" around and Ray was the king of all". Ray was a member of Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and the Independent Association of Drilling Contractors and past member of Energy Advocates. Ray and Janada were married for nearly 55 years, until her death in April, 2012. They raised 3 children, had 8 grandchildren, and way too many dogs to count. Ray was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert K. Batchelor. Beyond his family life and work, Ray was an active member of the community. He was a member of the Tulsa Downtown Rotary Club, (supporting the IBA Awards and Celia Clinton School), Kirk of the Hills Church, Hurricane Club and Sigma Chi Fraternity. He also served on several boards including the YMCA (received the Ed Lacy Award in 2011), and Literacy and Evangelism International. He actively supported Gilcrease Museum Management, African Inland Missions, and St. Simeons. Ray was passionate about his alma mater, TU, and supported the Collins College of Business and Friends of Finance; a great lover of sports, contributing to The Athletic Scholarship Endowments for Football and Basketball, and TU Men's Basketball Travel. He was a long time member of the Tulsa Hurricane Club, belonging to the 1930's Society, and rarely missed a football or basketball game. He cherished his time with family and friends at Grand Lake and in the mountains of Colorado. Ray, or Papa as he is known in the family, leaves behind his daughter, Carene Gates, her sons, Christopher and Nicholas, and her grandsons Saleh, Jonas, Danny and Paul; his daughter, Margaret Paul, her husband, Andy, and their children, Alex, Taylor, Jack, and Caroline; and his son, Trey Batchelor, his wife, Garet, and their children Blake and Jackmond; and his devoted friend, Nancy Daniel. His greatest joys in his life were his faith, family, friends and furry friends. Ray was the true definition of a friend, one you could trust with anything. An eternal optimist, well-loved mentor; he had a big heart and deep compassion for mankind. Always his first question, "How's everyone at your house?" The mold was broken with this selfless soul, never putting himself before others. The family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations be made in Ray's memory to JBFC -The Janada Batchelor Foundation for Children, Inc. (PO Box 4541, Tulsa, OK 74159) or Kirk of the Hills Church (4102 E 61st St., Tulsa, OK 74136). Visitation will be held at Moore's Southlawn on Sunday, January 10th, from 9:00AM to 9:00PM. A celebration for Ray's life will be held at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church on Monday, January 11th, 12:30PM, with a lunch reception to follow. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Raymond E. Batchelor

April 25, 1933 - January 2, 2016