Gary Lee Sanders

Gary Lee Sanders 65, died in Okmulgee on his birthday, Wednesday, July 8, 2009.  He was born in Kane, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1944 to Samuel O. and Shirley Mae (Dunn) Sanders.  He attended and graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1963.  In 1964 he met Mary Katherine Payton, a carhop at Coleman’s Drive-In, and they were married December 29, 1965.  Gary was in the Army and was sent to Ethiopia for eighteen months.  Upon returning to the United States, he was stationed at Vint Hill Farms, Virginia for a short period and then sent to Vietnam for a year.  His next station was Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he was honorably discharged in 1971.  After returning to Okmulgee and in the year of 1972 he became a father after the birth of his son, Steven Lee.  Gary worked at PPG, Henryetta until the facility closed.  His next career was with John Zink, Tulsa, where he worked for twenty-six years in different areas.  Later he moved to Zeeco, Broken Arrow, where he worked for eight years as an applications engineer until his death.  Gary loved fishing, antique cars, model cars, building anything and everything and his family.  His parents and a brother, Jerry Sanders preceded him in death.

 

Survivors include his wife Mary of the home, a son Steven and wife Michelle Sanders of Cleveland, Ohio, two grandsons; Noah and Aidan Sanders of Cleveland, Ohio, a sister, Sandra Howard of Beggs, Oklahoma, a brother, Roy Sanders of Porum, Oklahoma, a sister in law, Margaret House of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, two nieces Germaine Mowery of China, Debbie Lewison of Beggs, three nephews, Donnie Jones of Okmulgee, Brian Howard and Mark Howard both of Beggs, Oklahoma and great nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be on Saturday, July 11, 2009, 10 am at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home Chapel.  Military Burial Honors will follow at the Okmulgee Cemetery.  Visitation will be 1-8 pm at the funeral home. Pallbearers Mark Garrison, Brian Howard, Mark Howard, Donnie Jones, Kevin Howard, Sid Boss and Greg Adolph.  Honorary are David Garrison, Glen Campbell and Jim Vaughn.  The family suggests condolence gifts  be made in Gary’s name to the Okmulgee Humane Society or the American Cancer Association. Condolences may be made at mcclendon-winters.com.