Arvil Ray Rowland

Arvil “Ray” Rowland, entered this world, on January 10, 1938.  God gifted him to Thomas Arvil and Anita O’Dell (Jenkins) Rowland. 

Ray entered his eternal life, in heaven, on October 26, 2021

Ray grew up in Oklahoma City, playing baseball most of his waking moments.  He attended Capital Hill High School, through his Junior year, transferring, with his parents, to Tulsa, where he ultimately graduated in 1957, from Tulsa Central.

After graduation, Ray enlisted into the United States Army. He served as a billing clerk, typing upwards of 100 words a minute, on a manual typewriter.  He continued his love for baseball, playing for the Army, during the summer.  During the harsh winter months, while stationed in Alaska, he grew his love for bowling,  also playing for the Army team, during his service time.

While on leave, he met Loretta Jo Dunsmore, at the store she worked, and they married on October 28, 1960.  The Army transferred them, immediately, to South Dakota, where they tell stories of surviving some of the worst cold, they had ever encountered.  Even telling stories of waking to frozen water in the toilets.

After being honorably discharged, the couple returned to Oklahoma, settling in Oklahoma City.  Their union gave them 2 daughters.  Kari Jo, and Donna Raye.

An offer arose, in 1972, that gave them the opportunity to move their family to the “country”, and they (along with Ray’s mother and father), purchased 2 acres in McLoud, OK.  They provided their daughters a wonderful life, and Ray continued his love for baseball, by playing competitive softball all spring, summer and fall, and bowling every winter.  Ray was awarded 9 National and World Softball titles and rings.  He played softball until he was 78 years old, even participating in the Senior Olympics, winning several medals for the games.

Ray and Loretta both continued to bowl, and only stopped, in 2020, as Alzheimer’s ravaged his brain, and left him incapable of participating.

Ray leaves behind, to mourn his loss, his loving wife of 61 years, and both daughters, Kari Seaborn and husband Richard, Donna Harris and husband Glenn.

Also grieving his loss, are Grandchildren Crystal Seaborn,  Andrea (Seaborn) Schemet and husband Jeremy, Richard Seaborn II and wife Mandi, Bradley Weldon and wife Stephanie,  Ryan Weldon and wife Christi, Thomas Harris and wife Elisha, Kristen (Harris) Milbourn and husband Austin.

Those 7 grandchildren have blessed Ray with 17 great-grandchildren.  Texas, Canyon, Brody, McKenna, Gage, Jade, Caden, Autumn, Randall, Daniel, Kevin, Ryan, Mattingly, Bryce, Brooks, Destiny and Cayden.

Ray will also be missed by numerous family members, including nieces, nephews and fellow ballplayers and bowlers.

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