July 23, 1940– Nov. 9, 2025
Claudia Arlene Gray of Cordell, Oklahoma, 85, a retired photographer, radio announcer, new director, Executive secretary for the Cordell Chamber of Commerce passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in Corn, Oklahoma.
Claudia Arlene Gray was born on July 23, 1940, five miles west of Cordell, daughter of Hoyt Melton and Anise (Bewley) Gray. Claudia attended the first 10 years of school at Cordell Public Schools and her Junior-Senior years at Dill City Public School. In 1958 she moved to Enid, Oklahoma where she was employed at Marquise Studio and later Manager of Larry’s Record Shop in Enid, Oklahoma. In 1960 Claudia moved to Oklahoma City and was employed by John A. Brown (Penn Square) as a photographer for Photo Reflex and later Manager of the Record Shop in John A. Brown. In 1961 set up and managed Clothier Portrait Studio in Woodward, Oklahoma as a Manager and Photographer. In 1962 moved to Wichita, Kansas. In 1964 moved to Great Bend, Kansas. From 1963 to 1974 she was raising her two children in the home and for 6 years worked as a Kelly Girl for the Kansas State Fair. After divorce in 1974 Claudia and her two children moved to Cordell, Oklahoma where she was employed at Jack Loftiss (J’Lynn.) Claudia was employed by the T.G. & Y. in downtown, Cordell, Oklahoma. Later employed by King Lindsey, Inc. working on the first computers in Cordell. T.G. & Y. built a new business out on HWY 183 and Claudia was a Department Head of 5 departments. In 1981 to 1985 Claudia worked as a News Director, live Disc Jockey and announcer for KCLI-FM in Clinton, Oklahoma. In 1985 to 1988 Disc Jockey, announcer and Assistant Program Director and hosted the Tradio Show for KADS-AM in Elk City, Oklahoma.
In 1988 to 1994 worked as announcer, disk jockey, and sales for KECO-FM in Elk City, Oklahoma. At KECO-FM Claudia started a successful onehour radio show called “Grapevine.” Where the listeners could buy, sell and trade items.
In 1994 to 1996 Claudia worked for Star 107-FM in Clinton, Oklahoma in sales. In 1996 to 1999 the Tradio Show for KCDL- FM hosted in Cordell, Oklahoma, and “Coffeetime” with George Roper. In 1996 to March 15, 2010, Claudia was employed by the Cordell Chamber of Commerce as Executive Secretary promoting Cordell, Oklahoma, Washita County and the great State of Oklahoma. From 1999 to 2002 Claudia was a guest on Oldies 99 KCDL-FM in Clinton, Oklahoma with Steve Michaels on “Coffee and Conversation.” Claudia’s greatest passion was RADIO BROADCASTING.
Claudia is survived by her daughter, Saudia Ellis and husband Robert Ellis of Raymore, MO, Sister, Loretta Hougland of Cordell, OK., Grandsons, Cole Ellis and wife Mary Ellis of Raymore, MO., and Christopher Dundas of Mustang, Ok.
Great grandchildren: Mila and Sophia Ellis of Raymore, MO. and William Dundas of Ok.
She was preceded in the death of her grandparents, Leroy and Myrtle Gray of Cordell, OK and James Holbert and Addie Lou (Garrett) Bewley of Texas, her Father, Hoyt Melton Gray and Mother Anise (Bewley) Gray of Cordell, Ok, her Brother Melvin Douglas Gray of Drummond, Ok, her Son Sean Daniel Dundas of Cordell, Ok. and Grandson Kevin Ryan Ellis of Texas.
The family requests memorials to be donations to Women Crisis Centers to help women and children of abuse.
Visitation: 1:00 p.m.~ 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 21, 2025 at Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, Oklahoma. Memorial:10:00 AM Saturday, November 22, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Cordell, Oklahoma.
Under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, Oklahoma