Lee Charles Raney

On December 6, 2025 Lee Raney, age 97, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lee was born on October 10, 1928 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the last four years he had resided in Columbia, Missouri to be near his daughter and son-in-law. Lee was a member of the Will Rogers High School Class of 1946. On the day he graduated, his father sent him away saying that he was finished providing for Lee. The Charlie Anderson family took Lee in until he decided that his only way forward was to join the Army. So, at the age of 17, Lee went through boot camp and was on his way to Occupied Italy following WWII. Being in the military provided the opportunity to attend college at Oklahoma A&M. Lee graduated in 1952 with a BS in Industrial Engineering and Management. During his years at OSU Lee met "Dear Gracie" and they were married on March 15, 1953. A month long honeymoon ended with Lee being called to Korea. Lee had a career supported by his education. Following his Korean service, he and Grace moved to Waco,Tx where he worked for Phillips 66. During their time in Waco, their daughter Libbie was born. Libbie was born with a congenital heart defect. Having an engineering degree gave Lee courage to look for a solution. He and Grace found this in Denton A. Cooley, MD at Texas Children's Hospital. Lee gained an MS at University of Missouri after a recommendation from Dr. Wilson Bentley to Dr. Robert Eastman that Lee be considered for this placement. Lee became the Co-founder of the Department of Industrial Engineering in 1958. Following his Master's degree Lee worked for Northern Natural Gas-Omaha organizing for the first time their Industrial Engineering program. Time with Sunray D-X and Sunoco as Mgr of Information Systems and Data Processing followed in1964-1970. In 1970 he was hired by Leon Hess, of Hess Oil Corporation/New York as the chairman of the Information Systems and consolidation of Hess and Amerada until 1981. President of Raney Associates in Tulsa, established in 1981, this company provided MIS and Industrial Engineering consulting services to major corporations. Additionally, a computer program named "HELP" Home Equity Loan Program was developed. Lee was the Founding Chairman of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium. This was a result of his fulfilling a live-long dream of becoming a pilot. He owned and flew a Beechcraft Bonanza V-tail and held an instrument rating. He met and gained relationships with other pilots who all had the vision to provide a museum honoring Tulsa's rich aviation history and promote STEM education for the youth of Oklahoma. Among his many awards he was very proud to be named "Volunteer of the Year 2002" by Price Waterhouse for his efforts in establishing the museum. Lee loved time with his family. He considered himself blessed to have Grace by his side for 68 years. He enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship, membership at the Kirk of the Hills where he served to help prevent human trafficking. Hobbies included FLYING!, fly fishing in Colorado, golf, spectator sports, playing the organ and decoupage. Lee leaves behind to mourn his passing, his daughter Elizabeth(Libbie) Raney Couper, Son-in-law Nicholas Couper, MD, Grandchildren Catherine Espinosa (Hector), Caroline Couper and John Lee Couper, Great-Grandson Nicolas Enzo Espinosa. Many friends and colleagues will also miss Lee greatly. He was predeceased by his wife Grace, his son Charles Warren, his parents Lee K. Raney and Jennie P. Raney and his parents-in-law Selma and Evelyn Stephens. Without a doubt, Lee's final years were enhanced by the kind care of the staff at Zarrow Tulsa, Lenoir Woods/Ever True Retirement Village Columbia and the staff of Home Instead and Hospice Compassus. The family expresses its most sincere gratitude. Services will be conducted Friday, December 12 at the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church 4102 E. 61st St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 9:00 am visitation. 10:00 am Service of Scripture and Remembrance. Burial with military honors following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Anyone touched by Lee's life is invited. Memorials to: Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium. tulsamuseum.org or OETA.tv/givenow

Lee Charles Raney

October 10, 1928 - December 6, 2025