Gary Franklin Ethridge

Gary Franklin Ethridge, of Choctaw, Oklahoma, passed away on January 10, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born to George Franklin and Faye (Roberts) Ethridge on August 31, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gary graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, TX in 1980 and joined the Army Reserves in 1983. He proudly served his country with the 701st PSC from 1983 to 1994. During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he was deployed and admirably served from 1990 to 1991. Gary also worked as a civilian at Tinker Air Force Base from 1985 to 2019. He served as a Procurement Analyst and then as a Contract Specialist before retiring on December 31, 2019. Gary enjoyed traveling, spending time with his family, and reading. He also enjoyed history, often incorporating stops of historical importance in his travels, and loved to share historical stories with friends and family.

Gary was married to Lori Blankenship on October 9, 1993. He had three children, whom he was incredibly proud of and loved very much. He is survived by his wife, Lori, and his three children: Garrison and his wife Holly Ethridge, Katherine Ethridge, and Lauren Ethridge. He is also survived by his mother, Faye Ethridge, and two sisters, Amy Robinson and her husband Dennis and Jennifer Lacson and her husband Frank, as well as 5 nephews, 2 nieces, 2 great-nephews and 1 great-niece. He was preceded in death by his father, George Franklin Ethridge.

His many friends and family members will miss him. Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Wickline United Methodist Church followed by a service at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) at Donate to Support OMRF | Discoveries That Make a Difference or the National Desert Storm Memorial at National Desert Storm War Memorial.

Family requests masks be worn at the service.