Raymond "Ray" Mahler Maier

Raymond "Ray" Mahler Maier, 99, longtime Duncan resident and business owner, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at his home with his family at his side. Ray was born July 11, 1927, in Ahpeatone, Oklahoma to John and Johannah (Mahler) Maier.

He grew up on a farm west of Walters, in the Ahpeatone community. Following his graduation from Ahpeatone High School in 1945, he attended Cameron College (now Cameron University) where he graduated with an Associate's degree. He then went on to continue his education at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) where he graduated in 1950. In August 1951 he joined the US Army and served as a Corporal. He was honorably discharged in August 1953 and later earned his private pilot's license.

Before becoming a local business owner, Ray taught at Comanche Public Schools in 1954. On March 1, 1955, Ray purchased what would become Ray Maier Sporting Goods and, eventually, the Red Wing Shoe Store. Ray served the Duncan community and surrounding towns for 70 years before retiring on March 1, 2025.

He was a kind man who loved everyone. He never met a stranger and enjoyed joking with people. He considered working at his store to be a hobby and looked forward to his daily 3:00 PM coffee break with friends at R&S Drug to solve the world's problems. He also looked forward to frequent lunch dates with his daughter, Jennifer. He loved feeding his squirrels, rabbits and birds. He had a love and admiration for agriculture in Southwest Oklahoma and enjoyed driving out to wheat farms during harvest season to relive his memories as a young harvester himself.

Ray was an avid supporter of young athletes in Duncan and surrounding areas. His greatest attribute was his generosity, and he was devoted to supporting them however he could. He was inducted into the Duncan Athletic Hall of Fame in October 2020. He also received a Citation of Congratulations from the Oklahoma State Sente and House of Representatives and Duncan Rotary Christmas Auction for 67 years of generosity and investment in Duncan's future. Ray loved his family immensely, and he reminded them of that whenever he could.

After meeting his future wife at the Walters bowling alley, Ray married Dollie Jacqueline "Jackie" Hart on September 3, 1994, at Lake Tahoe, California. He quickly swept her off her feet, and together they traveled the world on European vacations, and many trips to Las Vegas where Ray loved to run the craps table. Ray and Jackie were members of Fair Baptist Church in Empire, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Johnny Maier; daughter Penny Maier; son-in-law Terry Hinton; sisters, Mozelle Agee and Francis Easterwood; and brother Bill Maier.

Ray is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jackie; his children, Jennifer Hinton, Gina Woods, and Michael (Christy) Ray; his grandchildren, Erin (Ivonna) Hinton, Kelly (Phil) Netzel, Jessica Smith, Eric (Ashley) Woods, Haley (Daniel) Quezada, Kyle (Abi) Ray, Calli (Toby) Denny, and Carter Ray; his great-grandchildren, Braden, Addison, and Kysen Hinton, Alera and Kaira Netzel, Skylar, Chaz, and Jayden Smith, Ava Woods, Axton Ramirez, Izrael Quezada, and Jackson Ray; and his great-great-grandchild, Lyla Jo Smith.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, September 14, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Whitt Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, September 15, at 12:00 PM at Fair Baptist Church with Pastor Charles McConnell officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Skylar Smith, Chaz Smith, Jayden Smith, Eric Woods, Kyle Ray, and Daniel Quezada. Interment will follow in the Duncan Municipal Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children; 300 Johnny Bench Dr., Suite 450; Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.

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