Ray Lessley Price was a retired SWOSU professor and pioneer in the field of distance education in Oklahoma.  He was born January 7, 1947, in Tulsa to Ray Alfred and Billie Louise (Lessley) Price and passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Corn Heritage Village of Weatherford having reached the age of 75 years, 4 months and 3 days.

Lessley spent most of his early years in Bartlesville, graduating with the Class of 1964.  He graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1968, and then worked as a civilian employee for the Department of Defense.  He next served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971.

Lessley started graduate school at SWOSU where he earned a Master's Degree in Education.  On August 5, 1972, he married Marianne Boerstler in Bartlesville.  The couple moved to Nowata where he taught Art and then to Norman where Lessley earned his Ph.D. in Educational Technology from the University of Oklahoma. While in Norman, he became director of the Teacher Center.  Lessley served on the faculty of NWOSU in Alva before moving to Weatherford in 1985 to teach at SWOSU.  He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Education and supervised student teachers and entry year teachers throughout the state.  He became the first director of Distance Learning for the Weatherford and Sayre campuses.  In 2010, he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Distance Learning Association.

Lessley was a dedicated volunteer.  He was a docent for the Heartland Museum where he enjoyed showing visitors his antique camera and media equipment collection, poll worker for the Election Board, Kiwanis Club member, Special Olympics volunteer, and usher and trustee of his church.  He also served on the Board of Regents of the Native American Tribal College at SWOSU.

The Prices enjoyed camping and traveling in their R.V.  They worked on several NOMADS projects in which they joined other R.V.'ers in doing repairs to churches and homes.  Lessley enjoyed hiking, gardening, doing home remodeling and repairs, and walking his two dogs.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the Heartland of America Museum.

Lessley is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marianne Price of their home in Weatherford; two daughters, Amanda Amonson and husband, Lee of Yukon and Meryl Pye and husband, Jason of Moore; one brother, Carl Price and wife, Susie of Pine, CO; one sister, Carolyn Mahan and husband, John of Skiatook; one grandson, Sebastian Amonson.  He was preceded in death by his parents.