Ray E. Fioretti

April 19, 1935 - February 8, 2015

Colonel Ray E. Fioretti, born April 19, 1935 in Stigler, Oklahoma passed away Sunday, February 8, 2015 after years of heart illness. Ray was a 1953 graduate of Stigler Central High. He obtained a B.S. Degree in Business Administration at Northeastern State University and a B.S. Degree in Hospital Administration at Oklahoma Baptist University. In college, Ray was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon social fraternity, member of Industrial Arts Club, Business Club, English Club, R.O.T.C and a candidate for “Who’s Who is American Colleges and Universities”. Col. Fioretti joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955 and served until 1959. He had the rank of Airman 2/C. He worked in Photo Intelligence and was stationed at March AFB in Riverside, California. Upon completion of his active duty, he joined the Army Reserve and was promoted to Staff Sargent and later received direct commission to 2/Lt. During his tenure in the Army Reserves, he commanded Co “A” 2nd BN 377th Regiment T at McAlester of the 95th Div. and upon being promoted to MAJ he was the BN S-3. He then left the Army Reserve and joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard and worked in the S-3 department. He was then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Col. Fioretti organized and activated the 316th QM BN based in Stigler in which he was the commander. Col. Fioretti then went to the 95th Division and commanded the 1st BN, 377TH Regiment T, Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Next assignment was Chief of the Infantry Division team with the 95th MTC in Oklahoma City which he was promoted to Full Bird Colonel. His last military assignment was with the Oklahoma Army National Guard in which he was Chief of the Selective Service Division for the State of Oklahoma. Total active and reserve duty was 32 ½ years. Military schools attended: Infantry Basic and Advance; QM Basic and Advance, Ordinance Basic, Selective Service Course of Instruction, and General Staff College. Service Medals: USAF Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Recruiting Badge, Expert Shooters Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, National Guard General Staff Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon. In civilian life, the Colonel was active in VFW, American Legion, Boy Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, and a Licensed Public Accountant. He was also a member of the Main Street Baptist Church. He is survived by one son, Mike Fioretti and wife Pam of Sallisaw; one daughter, Sarita Menachio and husband Gino of Tulsa; three grandchildren, Zabrianna Menachio of Tulsa, Heidi Couch and husband Alex of Edmond, Sydney Fioretti of Shawnee; one brother, Louis Fioretti Jr. and wife Sue of Stigler; nieces and nephews, Heather Fenton and husband Greg of Stigler, Nina Fioretti of Stigler, Steven Fioretti and wife Julie of Stigler; cousins include, Gail and Gary Beach of Katy, Texas, Janet Martin of Ft. Smith, Don Dumas of Stigler, Peggy Dumas Dyer of Sand Springs. He is preceded in death by his parents Louis and Opal Fioretti; his wife of 51 years, Kathy Fioretti; his twin brother, Fay Fioretti. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Main Street Baptist Church with Reverend John Pruett and Chaplain Bill Crow officiating. Honorary Pallbearers include, Roy Dixon, John Neldon, George Hedrick, Carroll Huggins, Del Amos, Dee Thompson, Virgil Vaughn, Bobby Rose, and Phillip Roye. U.S. Army Honor Guard from Fort Sill, Oklahoma will conduct Full Military Honors. Burial will immediately follow at Stigler City Cemetery under the direction of King and Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler. Family visitation ~ Wednesday night 6-8 at R.E. Shearwood Memorial Chapel in Stigler