Raymond Cline

Funeral Services for Raymond Michael Cline will be Thursday, 2:00 p.m., March 8, 2012 at Hillside Christian Church with Ben Killion and Van Longbons officiating. Interment will follow at Nowata Relocated Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service. Raymond Michael Cline, 62, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at his home in Nowata, Oklahoma. Raymond was born on August 12, 1949 to Michael N. and Shirley (Secondine) Cline in Nowata, Oklahoma. Raymond graduated from Nowata High School and then went on to college at NEO. He was a member of Hillside Christian Church and lived his life in the Nowata area. As a business man in Nowata he was very active in his community. Raymond's Delaware tribal elders gave him the name Notemoss which means "one who looks out for others and is a caregiver." This is an accurate description of him not only in his interactions with people but also in his care for the city and county in which he lived and has been witnessed by all who knew him. Raymond has participated in numerous fundraising activities, giving generously of his resources and time for individuals in need as well as community related projects. He was one of the most vocal supporters of this community, serving on many local boards serving in some capacity using his wisdom to promote our community in the best possible way. He had a vast store of knowledge that we have been able to call upon when we have had problems that needed solutions. In 1993, Raymond was named Nowata Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year and also received the Nowata Area Chamber of Commerce 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. He served on the Board of Directors for the Nowata City-County Library, Glass Mansion Museum, Chairman of the Nowata Educational Endowment Foundation and the Museum of the for the Shenandoah Valley. As chairman of the Nowata Industrial Foundation, Mr. Cline was instrumental in acquiring a location for the Cherokee Nation Will Rogers Health Center located in Nowata. He was also a philanthropist, frequently coming to the aid of causes such as the Nowata Animal Shelter among others. He has come full circle by serving as President of the Nowata Historical Society, which is located in the building that once housed the hospital where he was born. Raymond Cline was among those recognized at the 2010 AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Raymond served the Delaware tribe for more than 20 years most recently serving as trust board chairman and as tribal council treasurer. He has been chairman of the community service committee since the creation of the Delaware trust Board and has implemented programs to assist Delaware tribal members. He has served as tribal council treasurer for 20 years. Raymond always looked for the positive and expected the same approach of others. He has always been ready to assist when there is a need and he did it without fanfare. Raymond had a way of encouraging others to try to do their best and getting them involved in the community and it's organizations that work to improve the quality of life for others. His life has been an exemplary example of a lifetime of serving others. Raymond is survived by his mother, Shirley M. Hutton of Nowata, Oklahoma; one son, Tracie Morrison and wife Lisa of Chelsea, Oklahoma; two brothers, Eddie Lee Cline of Forestville, California and Harold Dean Cline; one sister, Kathy Parrett and husband Bill of Nowata, Oklahoma, three nieces and one great niece. Raymond is preceded in death by his father, Michael N. Cline. Online condolences can be left at www.honoringmemories.com. Family has asked that memorial contributions be sent to the Nowata Historical Society or the Nowata City/County Library.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 12:00pm - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Thursday, March 8th, 2012 8:00am - 11:00am, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Thursday, March 8th, 2012 2:00pm, Hillside Christian Church

Interment Details

Nowata Relocated Cemetery