Gary Frank Oliver, (77), of Healdton, Oklahoma, passed away on June 7, 2024 peacefully at his home. Gary had struggled with declining health for several years.
Gary was the second of four sons born to Jay Reavis and Mary McNeal Oliver. He was born in Paris, Texas on March 11, 1947. During his youth, he was active in sports and the Paris Rodeo and Horse Club. He graduated from Blossom High School in 1965. While in high school, Gary played basketball for four years, ran track for three years, participated in FFA for four years and was FFA President his Junior year, he was involved in student council and was Student Council President his senior year, and he was a class officer three years and Senior Class President. After high school, Gary served proudly in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Gary was quickly promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He served with HHC 1st Battalion 69th Armored Division and the 4th Infantry Division. After the completion of the service to his country, Gary started his professional career as an entrepreneur. Gary was a jack of all trades and lived a colorful life. During the course of his life, he was always his own boss; he owned a construction company, cattle, dairy farm, bar, a directional boring company and more. After his retirement, Gary reignited his childhood love for horses. Gary believed that if you were going to own something, anything from horses to working dogs to machinery, then it needed to be the best that money could buy. Gary eventually was the owner of the 1998, 1999, 2000 Pinto World Champion; 1999 Pinto Reserve National Champion; 1999 Alpha Reserve Paint World Champion; 2004 IBHA Top Five; 2005 A.B.R.A Reserve World Champion; 2006 and 2008 ABRA World Champion; 2006 and 2007 IBHA World Champion horses. In addition, he ventured into race horses and was the owner of Cash Broke Me. He was quick witted and could do complicated math problems with ease and without pen and paper right up until he passed. Gary loved to laugh and tell jokes and always had a story to tell no matter the audience. He was full of random facts and an abundance of knowledge that made him the go to for many friends and family members. Gary is remembered as an entertaining story teller. He always had a funny story to share. He was the highlight of any family gathering, as adults and children were amazed by his card tricks. He was personable and never met a stranger. At the time of his passing, Gary was well on his way to growing the best tomatoes in Oklahoma. A passion he shared with his brothers Kenny and Terry Oliver and a talent he inherited from his beloved mother, Mary.
Gary is survived by his current wife Shandra Tate of Jones, Oklahoma. They shared 16 years of marriage. Previous wives include his childhood sweetheart Jean Ann Lamb, Jo Ann Gilbert and Dorothy Jean Ackerman. Gary often said, with a chuckle, getting married was the easy part but staying married was the challenge. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Jay Oliver, and a brother, Wayland Oliver. Gary is survived by his daughter, Krista Haines and husband Gary of The Colony, Texas. Grandson, Parker Haines and wife Aubrey of Ft. Worth, Texas and a granddaughter, Karsen Haines, of The Colony, Texas. A daughter, Katherine Cass and husband Scott of Paris, Texas. Grandson, Graydon Cass and wife Amber of Daingerfield, Texas. Three great grandchildren, Wyatt, Adeline and Emma Cass of Daingerfield, Texas. Granddaughter, Mary Mounce and husband Dakota of Justin, Texas. A granddaughter, Erin Cass of Paris, Texas. A son, Jason Oliver and wife Tabatha of Velma, Oklahoma. Grandchildren, Logan, Tucker and Makenna Oliver of Velma, Oklahoma. A stepson Dakotah Tate, a stepdaughter Destyni Trayler and husband Rantz, and granddaughter, Dantzyn of Oklahoma. Gary is survived by his brothers Kenny Oliver and wife Lisa of Paris, Texas, and Terry Oliver of Detroit, Texas. The Oliver brothers remained close their entire lives. In addition, Gary is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends who all remember him fondly.
The family would like to thank, Complete Home Health of Tishomingo, the nurses and staff who loved him and cared for him daily until his passing.
The family is honoring Gary’s wish to be cremated and for there to be no funeral services. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial in Lamar County, Texas.
“Oh, the last goodbye’s the hardest one to say. This is where the cowboy rides away.”
