Donald E. Pray

Donald Eugene Pray was born January 16, 1932, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Ruth Frank Pray and Clyde Elmer Pray. Don attended Tulsa public schools and graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1950 where he played varsity football. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Tulsa. In 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Morrow, who is the mother of his two daughters. He was a member of Pi Epsilon Tau, Sigma Chi, and ROTC. Don graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Production Engineering. In January of 1955, Don began working for Continental Oil Company in their engineer training program. That June, he was called to active duty and entered the United States Air Force as a second lieutenant and was stationed in Tucson, Arizona. After finishing his service in June of 1957, Don returned to Continental Oil and spent the next three years as a field engineer. He decided to enter Law School at the University of Oklahoma in 1960 where he graduated first in his class and was a member of the Order of the Coif. In January of 1963, he returned to Tulsa to practice law and worked with a few firms before settling down at Schuman, Deas, Pray and Doyle. In 1969, he founded Pray, Scott and Livingston with offices in the fourth National Bank building. In 1979, the firm merged with another firm to create Pray, Walker, Jackman, Williamson and Marlar, which continues today as Pray Walker. He served as Managing Partner until leaving in 1993. In 1968, Don became a founding Trustee of the Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation and continued to serve in that capacity until his death. In 1982, he became personal counsel to Donald W. Reynolds and later outside counsel for the Don Rey Media Group. In 1983, he began serving on the Board of Trustees of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation until Reynolds' death in 1993. At that time, Don retired from the practice of law and became the Executive Director of the Reynolds Foundation. In 1999, he retired as Executive Director of the Foundation, but remained a Trustee, a position he held for over 20 years. Don loved his hometown and served on many boards, including the Tulsa Ballet Theater, the Tulsa Philharmonic, Philbrook Art Museum, St. John Medical Center, and the University of Tulsa. In 1998, the University of Tulsa named Don a distinguished alumnus and in 2011 he was named a Trustee Emeritus of the University. He was an active supporter of the Tulsa Boys Home, University of Oklahoma College of Law, Helping Hands, Iron Gate, Crosstown Learning Center, Youth Services, and numerous other organizations in Oklahoma. Don was honored as Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2002. The Tulsa City Council proclaimed the 31st day of March 2016 as Donald Pray day. Later that year, the Tulsa Board of County Commissioners proclaimed Don Pray as one of Tulsa County's most outstanding citizens and further recognized his constitution as beneficial to Tulsa County and the entire Tulsa Region. Through his service on foundations and boards, Don continuously worked to make positive differences in the lives of Oklahomans. Don is survived by his daughters Melissa (Steve) Easterling, and Susan (Bo) Rainey, grandchildren Libby Easterling Wise, Catherine Easterling, and Max Rainey, and his loving wife, Barbara, and her daughter, Robin Sanders. Don married Barbara in 2011, and they enjoyed their later lives together. The family would like to thank health care workers Barbara Edwards and Liz Dillinger for their dedicated care in his last days. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Tulsa, on Thursday, June 12th at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation to a Tulsa area charitable organization of your choice.

Donald E. Pray

January 16, 1932 - May 26, 2025