Ray Eugene Nicholas

Husband, Father, “Pop”, brother, uncle, coach, mentor, team-mate, friend, patriotic American, and follower of Jesus Christ. Ray Eugene Nicholas passed peacefully on August 4, 2024, at the age of 63, surrounded by love and embraced by family.

Ray Nicholas was born on August 2nd, 1961, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Carl Ray and Elsie Loraine Nicholas. In his middle school years, Ray moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma with his mother. Ray was proud to be a Titan team-mate and graduated from Carl Albert High School in 1979. He is remembered by many as a stand-out athlete and acting/vocal talent. He played collegiate football on scholarship at East Central University, where he earned a degree in Mass Communications/Journalism. Ray married his sweetheart, Vickie on September 24, 1983, and together they welcomed two children: son Adam Parker Nicholas [wife: Elizabeth Ashley; daughter: Arrow Minnie, and son: Britton Reid] of Sumter, South Carolina; and daughter Rachel Dawn Silva [husband: Francisco Javier Silva, and sons: Francisco Javier Silva, Jr., Andres Alejandro Rey Silva, and Emiliano Arturo Silva, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

In addition to being a devoted spouse and parent, Ray “Ray-Ray” Nicholas enjoyed a fulfilling career in the GS-1102 Contracting series at Tinker Air Force Base. After 33 years of faithful, federal service, he retired as a Division Chief. During his tenure he impacted the lives of countless civilians and active-duty military service members and enhanced the warfighting capabilities of the United States Air Force. He was well regarded for his light-hearted professionalism, acts of service, and compassion toward others at all levels. Much like his sports career, Ray received numerous accolades for his civil service record as a superior performer, contracting professional, and leader at Tinker Air Force Base.

Ray was also passionate about involvement in the community and various charitable organizations throughout his lifetime. Known to many as “Coach Ray”, he leaves a lasting impression on the now men and women from little league sports teams he coached from the 1980s into the late 1990s. He wasn’t just a coach—he was a developer, encourager, and teacher of the games he loved to coach. Ray was a deacon and member at the Nicoma Park First Baptist Church where he was filled spiritually and invested time and effort toward numerous building projects, mission trips, and search committees.

Ray was an avid fisherman who had numerous “fishing buddies” and friends who graciously allowed him to fish their properties or jumped at the chance to take a fishing trip with him. He was known for “just one more cast” and accumulating an assortment of fishing poles and tackle that would rival a big box store.

The most important and impactful part in Ray Nicholas’ life was his personal decision and dedication to trust Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. If you knew Ray Nicholas, you knew he was built different. That difference maker was and is Jesus Christ. It would be his prayer and final testament through his celebration of life, that you would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ: Admit that you are a sinner; Believe in Jesus and that he died on the cross for you; and Confess Jesus as your Savior.

The family is appreciative of Mercy Hospice for their care and support in our home during the last ten weeks of Ray’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the East Central University Foundation and First Baptist Church of Nicoma Park. A memorial service to celebrate Ray's life will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 2:00pm at Nicoma Park First Baptist Church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate their memories of Ray Eugene Nicholas.

A visitation for Ray will be held Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141. A funeral service will occur Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Nicoma Park First Baptist Church, 1931 Nichols Dr, Nicoma Park, OK 73066. A burial will occur Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73141.