Former OU Coach Ray Thurmond Dies

The former basketball and golf coach was 89 years old.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:45 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: May 21, 2010 12:36 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Former University of Oklahoma coach Ray Thurmond died Friday morning at Brookhaven Extensive Care. He was 89 years old.

The former Sooners’ basketball and golf coach started as a special instructor for the school’s physical education staff before being named golf and freshman basketball coach in 1967. Prior to his time at Oklahoma, he was a high school sports coach in Texas, Georgia and California.

He was born in Macon, Georgia, but it was in Norman where he built a reputation for himself. Sherri Coale and Sam Bradford were among his many visitors at Brookhaven.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, but a service will be held next week at the pavilion at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course.