Raymond Ewing Yoder

April 17, 1934 - March 15, 2023

Raymond Ewing Yoder was born April 17, 1934 to Edward and Anna Yoder in Geary, Oklahoma. He departed this life March 15, 2023, at the age of 88.

After graduating high school Raymond enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Kingsville, Texas. Falfurrias, Texas was the closest town that had a Church of God, so Raymond drove there to attend and that’s where he met Carolyn, who was in the church’s youth group. Approximately a year and a half later, on June 30, 1957 the two were married. From this union were born three children, Karen Sue, David Ray, and Ronda Lou.

After Raymond had fulfilled the four years in the Navy, the Yoder family moved to Tulsa and later Hutchison, Kansas before they decided to settle in Bristow. Raymond was a building contractor and cattle rancher. In the early 90’s he built his first motel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They then expanded by purchasing another motel also located in Eureka Springs. Raymond and Carolyn then decided that Bristow needed a nice motel so in 1994 he built the Carolyn Inn, which they owned and operated for 12 years. In 1998 they purchased the Best Western Stroud Motor lodge which they owned until recently selling this year.

Raymond was very passionate about his cattle business. You could find him at Mid America stockyard every Saturday bidding on and buying cattle. However what gave him his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren with his whole heart.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn Yoder; three children Karen Yoder, David Yoder and Ronda Humphries and husband David; five grandchildren, Christopher Cooper and wife Annie, Joshua Cooper and wife Ashley, Ashley Diane Cooper, Ryan Alderson and wife Janelle, Brandon Humphries and wife Sondra; nine great grandchildren, Chloe Cooper, J.P. Cooper, Adyson Cooper, Willem Alderson, Vivian Cooper, Elijah Alderson, Blythe Cooper, Braxton Cooper, Junia Alderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Amos and Clarence Yoder, and two sisters, Edna Lasater and Ruth Livingston.

Funeral services were helduled at 2 p.m., Monday, March 20, 2023, at the First Church of God with interment following at the Bristow City Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Hutchins Maples Matherly Funeral Home.