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This week, Oklahoma lost a leader of law, energy, philanthropy, and service. Ray Potts, the patriarch of the Potts family, passed surrounded by his adoring family. I know I join a chorus of others when I say that he and his immense heart will be missed.
Words cannot adequately describe a life as full and vibrant as Ray’s, as language would only constrain the limitless joy and love he brought into this world. He embodied servant leadership and never wavered in his commitment to lifting others up. Every aspect of his life reflected his dedication to his wife of more than 70 years, Pat, their family and his love of Oklahoma.
Professionally, Ray found success in the oil field and became a pillar of Oklahoma City’s philanthropic community. He served on numerous boards, served as a member of the State Board of Education, was the first president of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation and gave tirelessly of his time, talent and treasure to the nonprofit community.
Coming to Oklahoma from Missouri in 1959, Ray and Pat quickly made Oklahoma City their home. He received his law degree from Oklahoma City University, where he devoted much of his philanthropic efforts. He financially supported Pat’s efforts to start the Community Resource Development Foundation in 1981, which would later evolve into the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. In 2000, Ray, with Pat never far from his side, established the Potts Family Foundation (PFF). The couple’s four children still sit on the PFF board of directors as the foundation continues to support The Center, nonprofit management, early childhood development and education, among other endeavors.
Ray Potts’s life was a testament to the possibility of a life well lived, one rooted in hard work, faith, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility. His unwavering commitment to others serves as an inspiration to all who seek to better Oklahoma – demonstrating that philanthropy is greater than giving money; it is about the giving of oneself. In his passing, we not only mourn the loss of a remarkable individual but also celebrate the enduring legacy of his charity, humility, and benevolence.
His memory will continue to inspire, serving as a guiding light for those who seek to emulate his compassion, integrity, and charity. In his passing, we – and the world – have lost one of the best of us.
Marnie Taylor is president and CEO of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. She can be reached at 405-463-6886, ext. 201, or [email protected].
