Ray Bendure

Ray Bendure was the youngest son of John Bryant Bendure and Mary Diadema Hobbs, born on Dec. 28, 1910.  John Bryant's parents were James H. Bendure and Sarah Ward.  Sarah was of Cherokee descent.

Ray was born and grew up in Chouteau, Oklahoma.  He had an 8th grade education, which at that time, was all that was needed.  He enjoyed playing baseball and was part of the Chouteau baseball team. 

Following his schooling, Ray had a wagon and horses and would travel to Northeast Arkansas to haul goods.  He was in Kingston, Arkansas, the day they had a bank robbery.  This is somewhat significant since one of his son's, James, married someone whose family moved to Locust Grove from the Kingston area.  Small world.  His grandmother, Sarah, married Ed Livingston and moved to Anderson, Mo.  Upon her death, Ray drove his wagon up to pick up the body so she could be buried in the Chouteau cemetery.

Ray was one of the early pioneers of the pipeline industry.  He laid pipeline for natural gas and water throughout all of the 48 continental states.  He started low but finished as a job superintendent whose advice was sought for years after his retirement.

He married in Chouteau on Dec 3, 1929.  There were 11 children born to this union, 2 dying only days after their birth.  His sons Billy Ray and James followed in their father's footsteps and worked in the pipeline industry until their retirement.  His grandson Robert, James' son, is a third generation employee of Sheehan Pipeline Construction Co.  His other sons and several grandsons have also worked in the pipeline industry either full time or to earn money for college.

Ray was about 5'8 in height, but his grandchildren would sometimes refer to him as "Popeye" because his forearms were huge and he often had spitting tobacco in his mouth.  In his younger years he was quite the "roustabout" but became very active in his local Baptist church after his retirement.

Ray and Avis are buried at the North Chouteau Cemetery in Chouteau, OK