Prominent state and local physician and decorated war veteran Dr. Ray Vern McIntyre of Kingfisher died last week at age 98.

McIntyre moved his family to Kingfisher in 1952 to set up his medical practice after graduating from the University of Oklahoma Medical School in 1951.

During his 40-year medical career, he served as president of the Kingfisher hospital board and was elected president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, following in the footsteps of his brother, Dr. John A. McIntyre of Enid.

He also served as president of the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians and edited the Oklahoma State Medical Association magazine for 10 years.

An advocate for children, McIntyre was a supporter of early state laws protecting children from abuse and neglect.

McIntyre was born Jan. 30, 1923, in Tryon and graduated from Tryon High School in 1940.

While attending what was then Central State College in Edmond, McIntyre joined the Oklahoma National Guard to earn extra money and then found his unit called up to serve at the onset of World War II.

He served in the 45th Infantry Division, headquarter Company, 179th Infantry, which landed in North Africa and participated in amphibious landings in Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France.

McIntyre ended his World War II service in Southern Germany, where he helped liberate Munich. He was awarded the Bronze Star in 1944 and was discharged in 1945.

That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Vera Kathryn Jones, and returned to Central State College in 1947 to complete his undergraduate degree before attending medical school.

The McIntyres raised four children: sons Glen McIntyre of Kingfisher, Dale McIntyre and wife Laura of Bartlesville and Dr. Floyd McIntyre and wife Carolyn of West Harwich, Mass; and one daughter, Ann McIntyre of Sonoma, Calif.

Kathryn preceded her husband in death last August after 75 years of marriage.

The McIntyres were longtime members of the Federated Church in Kingfisher, where he served on the church board.

Funeral services were Friday, July 9, at the Federated Church, with burial following at Kingfisher Cemetery.