Gary Brown Harman

One of Okmulgee’s favored authors of Letters to the Editor of the Okmulgee Daily Times sat down his pen and paper on February 6, 2013 to be with his Lord and Savior. Gary Brown Harman, son of the late Neil and Ada Harman, was surrounded by his family in his home when he passed. After graduating from Okmulgee High School, Gary proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Upon returning home he used the G.I. Bill to graduate from Northeastern State University with a Bachelors of Arts in English Education and a minor in Spanish. He taught briefly in Sacramento, California. After his return to Okmulgee, he taught English and Spanish at Okmulgee High School. He then worked in the oil fields of Oklahoma and Tennessee before he became a surveying engineer with East Central Electric in Okmulgee. He treasured working at East Central Electric. It allowed him to be outside and in connect with countless people. Gary loved many things; spending time with his family and friends, working for his church, the great outdoors, reading, photography, volunteering his time wherever he was needed, chasing the allusive and mysterious Big Foot, gardening, flying kites, and meeting complete strangers with a smile and chuckle of an old friend. No matter how dark the day, Gary always used his faith to find something to smile about. Gary loved God and was a humble servant to the Lord. He always carried his faith in God, studied the Word and shared it with his children and friends. Gary was a loving father and raised a family of four children: Brett Garland and his wife Diana of Henryetta, David Harman and his fiancé Shanean of Okmulgee, Michelle Garland Johnston and her husband Curt of Sapulpa and Dawn Harman DeBock and her husband Devin of Okmulgee. His family blessed him with many grandchildren. Dallas Johnston, Sydney Johnston-Rutledge, Riley Harman, Ege and Katie DeBock. When Gary married the love of his life, Ginger Harman of Okmulgee on September 17, 2004, he was blessed with two step daughters whom he held in his heart. Tina Roach and her husband Ed of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Lisa Tiger and her husband Eric of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. With more children also came more grandchildren: Tyler Tiger, Erica Tiger, Sophia Tiger, Joseph Hill, and Holly Selfridge and husband Cy. Gary Harman will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him. A special thanks to Rivercross Hospice for all their help and care. The family request donations made to the Agape Crisis Pregnancy Center in Okmulgee, Oklahoma or Trinity Lutheran church in Okmulgee. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Okmulgee with Reverend Myles Schultz officiating. Interment will follow at the Okmulgee Cemetery. Friends may visit the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home in Okmulgee on Monday from 12:00 – 8:00 P.M.

Gary Brown Harman

July 12, 1939 - February 6, 2013