Ray Arnold Tibbs was born to Glenn and Agnes (Pense) Tibbs in Wagoner County, OK on August 27, 1936.  He was proud to be a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation.  He attended Vanns Lake School and graduated from Porter High School in 1955.  After graduation, he worked at the ASC office in Wagoner, and then for Anderson Wholesale in Muskogee, retiring after 35 years.   Ray married Kathryn Louise Owens on January 18, 1957, in Wagoner.  To this union were born Ricky Ray Tibbs and Jeffrey Brian Tibbs.

Ray's early hobbies were hunting and fishing.  After retirement he did carpentry, helping build new homes for his sons, and re-roofing several houses.  He also restored cars and made many friends at the salvage yards where he looked for parts.

Ray had a deep faith in God and was very close to his church family.  He and Kathryn attended the Church of God in Wagoner, and he later became a member of New Beginnings Church.  He loved the youth and encouraged them to further their education.  Ray loved gospel music.  A couple of his favorites were the Bill Gaither Trio and the Happy Goodman Family.

Ray departed this life on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Glenn and Agnes Tibbs, and his parents-in-law, Earnest and Mildred Owens.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Tibbs; his sons and their wives, Rick and Marilynn Tibbs of Porter, and Jeff and Lori Tibbs of Wagoner; two sisters, Erlene Cieloha and her husband, Jack Cieloha, and Sue Essary; grandchildren, Julie and Rachel Tibbs of Wagoner and Andrea Tibbs of Porter.  He is also survived by aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

The family and friends will gather for a Visitation Thursday evening from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner.

The Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday at New Beginnings Church in Wagoner, with the Reverend Steve Holland officiating.  Interment will be in Bennett Addition of Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner.