Gary Walters

Gary Edward Walters was born on September 28th, 1948 in Muskogee, OK, the son of Earl Alonzo and Letha Mae (Nutt) Walters. He grew up in a household with one brother and three sisters, Melvin, Jean, Judy and Joy. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Oktaha High School. He enlisted into the United States Army on May 16th, 1968 in Muskogee, OK and served in the Eighth Army, C Company, 2nd BTL, 23rd Infantry. He was honorably discharged on May 6th, 1970. He returned to Oklahoma and began his civilian life by meeting and marrying the love of his life, Cheryl Jones. They were united in matrimony on March 24th, 1972 in his sister's home. Together they would raise a family of two sons and one daughter, Jeffrey, Kevin and Lindsey. Theirs was a union of mutual respect and Gary worked two jobs, a night watchman at Anderson Wholesale and farm hand by day, so Cheryl could earn her degree. He would finish his working career at Ft. Howard Paper Company as the machine operator with the rewinders. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for Woodall, OK for over 12 years. When the work was done, Gary loved time spent with the family he adored. He coached children's ballgames, watched the grandkids play sports and was an avid supporter of Graysen Phipps, cheering for every endeavor. He and Cheryl loved traveling by bus, seeing the sights at Gettysburg, New England and Maine and the camper trips with his grandchildren, exploring Yellowstone, Pikes Peak, Memphis and Silver Dollar City, to name a few. He was an avid collector and loved to go to auctions. There were collections of Salt and Pepper Shakers, Cookie Jars, and other “finds”. He was a jack of all trades, mastering quite a few talents and worked on building his home, making beautiful flower beds and fixing what needed fixing. There was nothing he liked more than a Sunday dinner or a holiday planned to please the family he loved. The quiet times were spent resting in his recliner, enjoying the old westerns like Gunsmoke and anything with John Wayne. He lost his beloved wife in 2020. Gary carried on keeping close to his family and enjoying their company as often as possible. He passed from this life on November 8th, 2024 in Tahlequah, OK, surrounded by those that loved him. He was 76 years old and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father, and his Cheryl.

Those left to celebrate Gary’s life include his two sons, Jeffrey Walters and wife Jamie and Kevin Walters both of Tahlequah and one daughter, Lindsey Snell and husband Joel of Little Elm, TX. He leaves his brother and sisters, Melvin Walters and wife Carolyn of Muskogee, OK, Jean White and husband Bill of Claremore, OK, Judy Fields and husband Claude of Muskogee, OK and Joy Farar, also of Muskogee. He will live on through his seven adored grandchildren, Benjamin Woolen, Tristan Walters, Teela Walters, Kobe Snell, Kal Walters, Jaxon Snell and Grayson Snell. There is a very special friend, Christine Phipps and Dale Farar, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Gary Edward Walters will be conducted on Friday, November 15th, 2024 at 9:00 AM at Reed-Culver Chapel with his family paying tribute to his life. He will then be laid to rest at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery with Army Honors provided by Ft. Sill Army Base.

Pallbearers for Gary include Kevin Walters, Tristan Walters, Joel Snell, Benjamin Woolen, Dale Farar and Kobe Snell.