Career
Doctor Raley moved to Oklahoma in 1931, when he became pastor at First Baptist Church of Bartlesville. In 1932 Doctor Raley was elected as chairman of the board of trustees of Oklahoma Baptist University. In 1934 Doctor Raley was elected as president of the University, beginning the longest tenure of any OBU president
Doctor Raley received an honorary doctorate from OBU in 1935.
In 1958 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and later inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame. In 1961 Doctor Raley resigned his position as president of Oklahoma Baptist University, citing reasons of health.
He was elected chancellor, serving until his death in 1968. John Wesley Raley Junior. served in the United States. Navy and later became the mayor of Ponca City, Oklahoma, then served several years as a judge.
The Raleys had three grandchildren, John Wesley Raley III, Rob Raley, and Sandra Nash as well as five great grand children: Chris, Laura, Kate, William and Wesley.