Ray Harlow Potter

As Ray Harlow Potter said, “I began my days on an alfalfa farm east of Jet, Oklahoma. Born on December 19, 1936, to Floyd R. and Grace Potter, in Enid, Oklahoma. Ray’s father was a farmer, and his mother taught sixth grade in the Jet school system—a fact that proved mildly traumatic the year Ray found himself in her classroom. He often referred to it as "the longest year of his life" though he somehow survived to tell the tale. Ray shared his childhood with a younger sister, Pat Potter Davison, who would likely admit Ray was both her tormentor and best friend. School was not optional in the Potter household. Ray rose to the academic challenge, all while making time for football, basketball, and track and field. Unfortunately, a knee and shoulder injury during his junior year cut short his athletic aspirations. Ray fondly recalled his years in Jet and Enid. He also recalled one particularly memorable and ill-fated attempt at chewing tobacco, which he never forgot and never repeated. After moving to Enid the summer before his senior year, Ray graduated as valedictorian from Enid High School in 1955. He went on to Phillips University in Enid, OK, where he majored in accounting and business, earning his bachelor’s degree in June 1959. Ray earned his Juris Doctor in 1962 from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, IA, graduating in the top 25% of his class. He worked his way through law school with a variety of part-time jobs including clothing salesman, janitor, shoe salesman, yard clerk for a railroad, general work in a funeral home, and delivery boy for a florist. No task was beneath him and every experience had value. Ray launched his legal career in 1962 in Lovington, NM, entering private practice before serving as an Assistant District Attorney beginning in 1965. Two years later, he became Vice President and Trust Officer of a local bank in Hobbs, NM. After eleven years, he moved to Houston, TX, and worked on the legal team at Superior Oil Company. Ray later opened his own law firm specializing in insurance defense, representing both domestic companies and Lloyd’s of London. In 1996, Ray began conducting title searches for various oil companies to determine title to oil, gas, minerals and surface for leasing and exploration. Ray's first wife, Deanna, was the mother of his three children: Robin, Rory and Rene. Deanna’s tragic passing in an airplane crash in 1975 left Ray a widower and a single father to three teenagers. He met the challenge with courage, humor, and a healthy dose of trial-and-error parenting. Ray often traveled to London, England for work and Rotary Club. During his time in England, Ray met his second wife. They were married for 17 years. In 1999, Ray married Susie Gann Potter. They shared more than 26 years of marriage and remained devoted to one another until Ray’s death. Ray is predeceased by his father and mother, Floyd R and Grace Potter, his first wife, Deanna Hudson Potter and a granddaughter, Abagail Gwyn Hinshaw. He is survived by his wife, Susie Potter. Three children, Robin Potter Kimball (Byron) of Oklahoma City, OK, Rory Potter (Karen) of Houston, TX, and Rene Potter Hinshaw (Charles) of New Market, MD. Two grandchildren, Hudson Hinshaw of Washington, DC, and Hope Hinshaw of Stillwater, OK. Also, a stepson, Randall Gann (Jera) and step-grandchildren, Laurel Gann Bryant (Brandon) of Charleston, SC, and Tyler Gordon Gann of Albuquerque, NM. Also, his sister, Pat Potter Davison, Oklahoma City, OK. Celebration of Life will be held September 13, 2025, at 2pm at St Mary’s Episcopal Church, 15415 N Eldridge Parkway, Cypress, TX 77429 A reception at the church will follow the service. Grave side will be in Lovington, NM at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1542, Cypress, TX 77429 or NM Christian Children’s Home 1356 New Mexico 236, Portales, NM 8813.

Ray Harlow Potter

December 19, 1936 - July 19, 2025