Dr. Raymond D. Sewell died peacefully on July 21, 2024, at home in Muskogee. He was born on January 9, 1924, to Wrothel and Ida Sims Sewell in Murray County.
Raymond grew up in Davis. He left high school after the 10th grade and hitchhiked to Ardmore to attend a government-sponsored welding school. After successful completion, he was sent to the Kaiser Shipyards near San Francisco, where he welded ships for several months. In 1943, he was drafted into the Army Air Corps and was sent to Bombay, India, where he helped supply the defense of China during World War II.
Returning to Oklahoma, he attended East Central State College in Ada and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Science in 1950. While attending college, he met and married the love of his life, June Watson. They were married for 71 years.
Raymond taught in many Oklahoma schools, worked at Bacone College, and was Superintendent at Braggs. He continued his studies earning a Master of Science in 1954 and a Doctorate of Education in 1972 from OSU.
He was active in the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association and the Muskogee County Democratic Party. He was a member of the Muskogee Church of Christ. He was a great believer in the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson who taught him self-reliance.
January 9, 1924 – July 21, 2024
Raymond is survived by daughters Sheila Sewell of Oklahoma City and Lana Reed and son-in-law Don Reed of Muskogee; grandchildren Rachael Gilliam, Lauren Ritchie, and Donna Bray, of Muskogee; Aaron Ritchie of Tulsa; Alix Golden, Kayla Sewell, and Lance Sewell of Oklahoma City; Julie Sewell and Jaxon Cossey of Cashion; and great grandchildren Jack Gilliam, Olivia Gilliam, and Zian Bray of Muskogee, and Vanessa Cossey of Cashion.
His wife, June; son, Frank; grandson, Todd Reed; and two sisters preceded him in death.
The family extends warm thanks to the staff of ACG Hospice for the care they showed to their father.
A celebration of Raymond’s life will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel, with Dennis Wilhite officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N York St. in Muskogee. Condolences can be made to the family at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee. com.
